LOT Marudhar Arts  /  Marudhar Arts Auction # 15  / 

59

Debased Gold Dinara of Kidara of Kashmir of Pravarasena.

Currency:INR Category:Coins & Paper Money Start Price:350,000.00 INR Estimated At:350,000.00 - 450,000.00 INR
Debased Gold Dinara of Kidara of Kashmir of Pravarasena.
Kidara of Kashmir, Hunnic Dynasty, Pravarasena (537 AD),De-Base Gold Dinara, Obv: Standing figure of
Lord Shiva, nimbate, in a classical dance form (tribhanga style), making mudra
from his right hand, holding trident in left, wearing tunic and an uttariya a
scarf like dress on shoulder (usually worn by men). He is flanked by two dwarf
ganas, or accompanists. The figure on left holds a vase and that on the right
appears to hold a Conch (Shankha) shell. This indicates that they are
representations of Nidhisor - keepers of wealth. Legends in later Brahmi script
reads ‘Sri Pravarasena', Rev: exotically beautiful depiction of a seated female
goddess, nimbate, seated in Sukhasana posture (one leg flexed at knee and
resting horizontally) on a lion/tiger whose head is seen below her left knee
and hind legs and rump are to the right. The tongue of an animal sticks out,
indicating that this is a representation not of a live lion, but of a lion or
tiger skin. The goddess wears flowing dress, with female uttariya (mythical duppatta),
and holds a lotus flower in both the hands. A Conch (Sankha) shell mounted on
pedestal (partly visible) is seen in field left below which are traces of
Brahmi legend ‘Kidara’, to the right Brahmi legend’ Jaya’,7.50g,23.32mm,about extremely fine,Exceedingly Rare.According to the
Rajatarangini of Kalhana, the Hunnic Ruler Toramana died in 515 AD and left
behind two sons, namely Mihirakula and Pravarasena. After Toramana’s death
Pravarasena was hidden by his mother and uncle in a potter’s house, then later
he went to a northern country and lived there as a pilgrim. After Mihirakula’s
death Pravarasena went back to Kashmir from the North and ascended the throne.
According to the Rajatarangini this event happened in c. 533 AD. This fact is
disputed by some scholars as there was a usurper named Maitrigupta in between
who ruled for four years. Thus Pravarasena ascended the throne in 537 AD when
he was a young man of twenty-five years.

One of the highest
rarity in Ancient India Coinage,
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