Gold coins of Gupta era found in West Bengal Murshidabad’s chronological history may be rewritten Gold coins belonging to the Gupta period have been found at Ahiran in West Bengal Murshidabad district. The coins found during a road construction on National Highway 34, date around fourth century A.D. The region’s chronological history may have to be rewritten following this find, archaeologists said. It is the second such discovery in the State since the early colonial era and is considered significant, as according to historians, it can present new evidences of the reach of the Gupta empire. It also opens up new scope of research in Gupta coinage system in India. Amal Roy, the deputy director of the State’s Directorate of Archaeology and Museums, Government visited the spot on Saturday. Gautam Sengupta, director, Directorate of Archaeology and Museums, Government of West Bengal, said it is second discovery of a coin horde of the Gupta era in West Bengal, the first one being at Kalighat here during the early colonial era. The gold coins were found where the soil was brought from nearby Gonkar and Hatpara areas under Sagardighi police station. The coins were believed to have been carried along with the soil. Archaeologists visited those sites as well. Mr. Roy told The Hindu that 11 coins had so far been found and kept at the local police station. More coins could possibly be unearthed. He said the finding could help historians fill up the gaps in Murshidabad’s history where there were evidences of settlements from the first and second century A.D. during the Kushana period and then during the Sashanka period dating to the sixth and seventh century A.D. The coins were of the imperial series of coins during the regime of Gupta kings Chandragupta and Samudragupta, Mr. Roy said. “The coins depict a king along with a Garuda Stambha on his right and with a fire altar. On the other side of the coin there is an image of goddess Lakshmi,” he said. Historians hold varying opinions about the original homeland of the Guptas and the discovery of the coin horde can throw some light on the issue, Dr. Sengupta said. “The discovery of the coins will help us revisit the original homeland of the Guptas as well as the extent of presence of early Guptas in the area,” he added. About 11 coins have been found and kept at the local police station The coins will help us revisit the Guptas’ original homeland and the extent of their presence
Posted on: Thu, 06 Jun 2013 16:18:01 +0000
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