INDIA ANCIENT - IMPERIAL PRATIHARS - KING BHOJA (836-885 AD) SILVER DRACHM
Denomination: 1 Drachm, Date: 836-885 AD, Composition: Debased Silver, Weight: 3.80 Gram, Diameter: 17.47 MM
Ruler: Bhoja I
Pratihara dynasty ruled for another 200 years although their dominion was never to the extent of during Bhoja's rule. In 1018, Kannauj then ruled by Rajyapala Pratihara was sacked by Mahmud of Gazni and that was beginning of the end of this illustrious dynasty of north India. Shown above is a coin minted by the great Pratihara king Bhoja I. The obverse show Aadivaraha, boar like incarnation of Lord Vishnu while reverse of the coin show stylized fire altar and two attendant. The deity Aadivaraha is supposedly holding earth by his snout. The vigour and strength of Aadivaraha's image on these coin amply show die engraver's knowledge of scultptures of that era. Altar and attendant motif was borrowed from Sassanaian coins which possibly came in India due to trade from Sassanian ruled Persia. The coins of Bhoja were immencely popular in medieval period and were extensively copied by his successors. All the kings of Pratihara dynasty minted exact same coin which were introduced by Bhoja I. Although the coins of later rulers of Pratihara dynasty were more stylized and heavily debased.
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