The Greek Drachm In India - From Apollodotus To Maitraka

Just posted this over in the Main forum, and realized it probably deserves a thread here:

Here is a fun historical set of silver drachms from India, about 80 BC - 700 AD

 

 

From left to right, top to bottom:

1. Indo-Greek kingdom, Apollodotus II
80-65 BC
Obv: Diademed portrait of Apollodotus II left, legend in Greek: "The great king and savior, father-loving Apollodotus"
Rev: Athena standing left, holding aegis in outstretched left arm, throwing thunder bolt, Kharosthi legend "Apollodotus the savior"

2. Western Satraps, Nahapana
1st century AD
Obv: Crowned bust of Nahapana right, surrounded by Greek character transliteration of Nahapana's titles in Prakrit language
Rev: Thunder bolt and arrow, bi-lingual inscription "Nahapana king and Satrap" in Brahmi and Kharosthi

3. Western Satraps, Viradaman
234-238 AD
Obv: Crowned bust of Viradaman right, Saka date (behind head) and remnants of Greek legend around
Rev: Three-arched hill with river below, crescent above, sun and moon flanking. Brahmi: rajno mahakshatrapasa damasenasaputrasa rajnah kshatrapasa viradamnah (king and great satrap, the son of king Damasena, Satrap Viradaman)

4. Gupta Empire, Kumaragupta I
415-455 AD
Obv: Bust of Kumaragupta right, remnants of Greek legend around
Rev: Garuda (mythical bird) facing, Brahmi legend around: Paramabh#257;gavata Maharajadhiraja Sri Kumaragupta Mahendraditya

5. Gupta Empire, Skandagupta
455-467
Obv: Bust of Skandagupta right
Rev: Fire altar, Brahmi legend off flan

6. Maitraka dynasty, Anonymous
Ca. 475-767
Obv: Bust right in degraded Western Satrap style
Rev: Trident surrounded by Brahmi legend, listing Bhatarka as the founder
Note: low grade billon

7. Maitraka dynasty, Anonymous
Ca. 475-767
Obv: Bust right in Gupta Madhyadesa style
Rev: Trident surrounded by Brahmi legend, listing Bhatarka as the founder
Note: Low grade billon or copper

So, the skinny on the history:

The Greeks came into India during Alexander the Great's campaigns in 326-325 BC. He was forced to turn back due to heavy resistance, the monsoon season, and battle-weary troops. He left a massive power gap when he pulled back, allowing the Maurya empire to unite the subcontinent against further expansion. The Maurya empire became weak, and fractured in 185 BC. This cleared the way for a breakaway Greek kingdom in Bactria to invade under Apollodotus I in 180 BC. The Indo-Greek kingdom flourished under Apollodotus II, but the arrival of the Yuezhi (forefathers of the Kushans, driven out of China by the Xiongnu huns) coupled with invasions of Scythians from the Caspian sea region caused the collapse of this empire.

The Scythians were able to penetrate to the Gujarat region, where they established a kingdom under the rule of the "Western Satraps". Warfare with the Kushans pushed the northern Scythians back out of the Pakistan region, but the Western Satraps were able to hold their own throughout classical antiquity. Nahapana was one of the first truly great Western Satraps, and introduced silver coins based on the Indo-Greek drachma. His ambitions led to war with the Satavahana empire in central India, and Nahapana was killed. A second line of Scythian rulers re-captured the area in 130 AD, and enjoyed nearly 300 years of rule in the area.

The Western Satraps were finally toppled in c. 395 AD when Rudrasimha III was assasinated by the Gupta king Chandragupta II, who was apparently disguised as his own wife and presented as spoils to begin peace negotiations. The Gupta Empire enjoyed a brief period of wealth and prosperity, but was faced with invasions from Hunnic populations in the late 5th century, and collapsed in 550 AD. Amid the chaos, a feudatory state centered at Vallabhy came under the rule of the Maitraka dynasty, who were generals under the Guptas. This dynasty faded into obscurity by 767, and the silver drachm of Greek standard came to an end in India.

Feel free to expand, correct, or comment!