Chapter IV.
The Mauryas. b.c.319–197. After the destruction of the YÁdavas a long blank occurs in the traditional history of GujarÁt. It is probable that from its seaboard position, for trade and other purposes, many foreigners settled in KÁthiÁvÁ?a and South GujarÁt; and that it is because of the foreign element that the Hindu DharmasÁstras consider GujarÁt a Mlechchha country and forbid visits to it except on pilgrimage.1 The fact also that Asoka (b.c.230) the great Mauryan king and propagator of Buddhism chose, among the Buddhist Theras sent to various parts of his kingdom, a Yavana Thera named Dhamma-rakhito as evangelist for the western seaboard,2 possibly indicates a preponderating foreign element in these parts. It is further possible that these foreign settlers may have been rulers. In spite of these possibilities we have no traditions between the fall of the YÁdavas and the rise of the Mauryas in b.c.319.

GujarÁt history dates from the rule of the Mauryan dynasty, the only early Indian dynasty the record of whose rule has been preserved in the writings of the BrÁhmans, the Buddhists, and the Jains. This fulness of reference to the Mauryas admits of easy explanation. The Mauryas were a very powerful dynasty whose territory extended over the greater part of India. Again under Mauryan rule Buddhism was so actively propagated that the rulers made it their state religion, waging bloody wars, even revolutionizing many parts of the empire to secure its spread. Further the Mauryas were beneficent rulers and had also honourable alliances with foreign, especially with Greek and Egyptian, kings. These causes combined to make the Mauryans a most powerful and well remembered dynasty.

Inscriptions give reason to believe that the supremacy of Chandragupta, the founder of the Mauryan dynasty (b.c.319), extended over GujarÁt. According to RudradÁman’s inscription (a.d.150) on the great edict rock at GirnÁr in KÁthiÁvÁ?a, a lake called Sudarsana3 near the edict rock was originally made by Pushyagupta of the Vaisya caste, who is described as a brother-in-law of the Mauryan king Chandragupta.4 The language of this inscription leaves no doubt that Chandragupta’s sway extended over
Chapter IV.
The Mauryas. b.c.319–197. GirnÁr as Pushyagupta is simply called a Vaisya and a brother-in-law of king Chandragupta and has no royal attribute, particulars which tend to show that he was a local governor subordinate to king Chandragupta. The same inscription5 states that in the time of Asoka (b.c.250) his officer YavanarÁja TushÁspa adorned the same Sudarsana lake with conduits. This would seem to prove the continuance of Mauryan rule in GirnÁr for three generations from Chandragupta to Asoka. TushÁspa is called YavanarÁja. The use of the term rÁja would seem to show that, unlike Chandragupta’s Vaisya governor Pushyagupta, TushÁspa was a dignitary of high rank and noble family. That he is called YavanarÁja does not prove TushÁspa was a Greek, though for Greeks alone Yavana is the proper term. The name TushÁspa rather suggests a Persian origin from its close likeness in formation to KershÁshp, a name still current among Bombay PÁrsis. Evidence from other sources proves that Asoka held complete sway over MÁlwa, GujarÁt, and the Konkan coast. All the rock edicts of Asoka hitherto traced have been found on the confines of his great empire. On the north-west at Kapurdigiri and at Shabazgarhi in the Baktro-PÁli character; in the north-north-west at KÁlsi, in the east at Dhauli and Jangada; in the west at GirnÁr and SopÁra, and in the south in Maisur all in Maurya characters. The GirnÁr and SopÁra edicts leave no doubt that the GujarÁt, KÁthiÁvÁ?a, and North Konkan seaboard was in Asoka’s possession. The fact that an inland ruler holds the coast implies his supremacy over the intervening country. Further it is known that Asoka was viceroy of MÁlwa in the time of his father and that after his father’s death he was sovereign of MÁlwa. The easy route from Mandasor (better known as Dasapur) to Dohad has always secured a close connection between MÁlwa and GujarÁt. South GujarÁt lies at the mercy of any invader entering by Dohad and the conquest of KÁthiÁvÁ?a on one side and of Upper GujarÁt on the other might follow in detail. As we know that KÁthiÁvÁ?a and South GujarÁt as far as SopÁra were held by Asoka it is not improbable that Upper GujarÁt also owned his sway. The Maurya capital of GujarÁt seems to have been Girinagara or JunÁga?h in Central KÁthiÁvÁ?a, whose strong hill fort dominating the rich province of Sorath and whose lofty hills a centre of worship and a defence and retreat from invaders, combined to secure for JunÁga?h its continuance as capital under the Kshatrapas (a.d.100–380) and their successors the Guptas (a.d.380–460). The southern capital of the Mauryas seems to have been SopÁra near Bassein in a rich country with a good and safe harbour for small vessels, probably in those times the chief centre of the Konkan and South GujarÁt trade.

Buddhist and Jain records agree that Asoka was succeeded, not by his son KunÁla who was blind, but by his grandsons Dasaratha and Samprati. The BarÁbar hill near GayÁ has caves made by Asoka and bearing his inscriptions; and close to BarÁbar is the
Chapter IV.
The Mauryas. b.c.319–197. NÁgÁrjuna hill with caves made by Dasaratha also bearing his inscriptions. In one of these inscriptions the remark occurs that one of the BarÁbar caves was made by Dasaratha ‘installed immediately after.’ As the caves in the neighbouring hill must have been well known to have been made by Asoka this ‘after’ may mean after Asoka, or the ‘after’ may refer solely to the sequence between Dasaratha’s installation and his excavation of the cave. In any case it is probable that Dasaratha was Asoka’s successor. Jaina records pass over Dasaratha and say that Asoka was succeeded by his grandson Samprati the son of KunÁla. In the matter of the propagation of the Jain faith, Jain records speak as highly of Samprati as Buddhist records speak of Asoka.6 Almost all old Jain temples or monuments, whose builders are unknown, are ascribed to Samprati who is said to have built thousands of temples as Asoka is said to have raised thousands of stupas. In his PÁ?aliputra-kalpa Jinaprabhasuri the well known Jaina ÁchÁrya and writer gives a number of legendary and other stories of PÁ?aliputra. Comparing Samprati with Asoka in respect of the propagation of the faith in non-Áryan countries the ÁchÁrya writes: ‘In PÁ?aliputra flourished the great king Samprati son of KunÁla lord of Bharata with its three continents, the great Arhanta who established vihÁras for Srama?as even in non-Áryan countries.’7 It would appear from this that after Asoka the Mauryan empire may have been divided into two, Dasaratha ruling Eastern India, and Samprati, whom Jaina records specially mention as king of Ujjain, ruling Western India, where the Jain sect is specially strong. Though we have no specific information on the point, it is probable, especially as he held MÁlwa, that during the reign of Samprati GujarÁt remained under Mauryan sway. With Samprati Mauryan rule in GujarÁt seems to end. In later times (a.d.500) traces of Mauryan chiefs appear in MÁlwa and in the North Konkan. The available details will be given in another chapter.

After Samprati, whose reign ended about b.c.197, a blank of seventeen years occurs in GujarÁt history. The next available information shows traces of Baktrian-Greek sway over parts of GujarÁt. In his description of Surastrene or SurÁsh?ra the author of the Periplus (a.d.240) says: ‘In this part there are preserved even to this day memorials of the expedition of Alexander, old temples, foundations of camps, and large wells.’8 As Alexander did not
Chapter IV.
The Greeks. b.c.180–100. come so far south as KÁthiÁvÁ?a and as after Alexander’s departure the Mauryas held KÁthiÁvÁ?a till about b.c.197, it may be suggested that the temples camps and wells referred to by the author of the Periplus were not memorials of the expedition of Alexander but remains of later Baktrian-Greek supremacy.

Demetrius, whom Justin calls the king of the Indians, is believed to have reigned from b.c.190 to b.c.165.9 On the authority of Apollodorus of Artamita Strabo (b.c.50–a.d.20) names two Baktrian-Greek rulers who seem to have advanced far into inland India. He says: ‘The Greeks who occasioned the revolt of Baktria (from Syria b.c.256) were so powerful by the fertility and advantages of the country that they became masters of Ariana and India …. Their chiefs, particularly Menander, conquered more nations than Alexander. Those conquests were achieved partly by Menander and partly by Demetrius son of Euthydemus king of the Baktrians. They got possession not only of Pattalene but of the kingdoms of Saraostus and Sigerdis, which constitute the remainder of the coast.’10 Pattalene is generally believed to be the old city of PÁtÁl in Sindh (the modern HaidarÁbÁd), while the subsequent mention of Saraostus and Sigerdis as kingdoms which constitute the remainder of the coast, leaves almost no doubt that Saraostus is SurÁsh?ra and Sigerdis is SÁgaradvÍpa or Cutch. The joint mention of Menander (b.c.126) and Demetrius (b.c.190) may mean that Demetrius advanced into inland India to a certain point and that Menander passed further and took Sindh, Cutch, and KÁthiÁvÁ?a. The discovery in Cutch and KÁthiÁvÁ?a of coins of Baktrian kings supports the statements of Justin and Strabo. Dr. BhagvÁnlÁl’s collecting of coins in KÁthiÁvÁ?a and GujarÁt during nearly twenty-five years brought to light among Baktrian-Greek coins an obolus of Eucratides (b.c.180–155), a few drachmÆ of Menander (b.c.126–110), many drachmÆ and copper coins of Apollodotus (b.c.110–100), but none of Demetrius. Eucratides was a contemporary of Demetrius. Still, as Eucratides became king of Baktria after Demetrius, his conquests, according to Strabo of a thousand cities to the east of the Indus, must be later than those of Demetrius.

As his coins are found in KÁthiÁvÁ?a Eucratides may either have advanced into KÁthiÁvÁ?a or the province may have come under his sway as lord of the neighbouring country of Sindh. Whether or not Eucratides conquered the province, he is the earliest Baktrian-Greek king whose coins have been found in KÁthiÁvÁ?a and GujarÁt. The fact that the coins of Eucratides have been found in different parts of KÁthiÁvÁ?a and at different times seems to show that they were the currency of the province and were not merely imported either for trade or for ornament. It is to be noticed that these coins are all of the smallest value of the numerous coins issued by Eucratides. This may be explained by the fact that these small
Chapter IV.
The Greeks. b.c.180–100. coins were introduced by Eucratides into KÁthiÁvÁ?a to be in keeping with the existing local coinage. The local silver coins in use before the time of Eucratides are very small, weighing five to seven grains, and bear the Buddhist symbols of the Svastika, the Trident, and the Wheel. Another variety has been found weighing about four grains with a misshapen elephant on the obverse and something like a circle on the reverse.11 It was probably to replace this poor currency that Eucratides introduced his smallest obolus of less weight but better workmanship.

The end of the reign of Eucratides is not fixed with certainty: it is believed to be about b.c.155.12 For the two Baktrian-Greek kings Menander and Apollodotus who ruled in KÁthiÁvÁ?a after Eucratides, better sources of information are available. As already noticed Strabo (a.d.20) mentions that Menander’s conquests (b.c.120) included Cutch and SurÁsh?ra.13 And the author of the Periplus (a.d.240) writes: ‘Up to the present day old drachmÆ bearing the Greek inscriptions of Apollodotus and Menander are current in Barugaza (Broach).’14 Menander’s silver drachmÆ have been found in KÁthiÁvÁ?a and Southern GujarÁt.15 Though their number is small Menander’s coins are comparatively less scarce than those of the earliest Kshatrapas NahapÁna and Chash?ana (a.d.100–140). The distribution of Menander’s coins suggests he was the first Baktrian-Greek king who resided in these parts and that the monuments of Alexander’s times, camps temples and wells, mentioned by the author of the Periplus16 were camps of Menander in SurÁsh?ra. Wilson and Rochette have supposed Apollodotus to be the son and successor of Menander,17 while General Cunningham believes Apollodotus to be the predecessor of Menander.18 Inferences from the coins of these two kings found in GujarÁt and KÁthiÁvÁ?a support the view that Apollodotus was the successor of Menander. The coins of Apollodotus are found in much larger numbers than those of Menander and the workmanship of Apollodotus’ coins appears to be of a gradually declining style. In the later coins the legend is at times undecipherable. It appears from this that for some time after Apollodotus until NahapÁna’s (a.d.100) coins came into use, the chief local currency was debased coins struck after the type of the coins of Apollodotus. Their use as the type of coinage generally happens to the coins of the last king of a dynasty. The statement by the author of the Periplus that in his time (a.d.240) the old drachmÆ of Apollodotus and Menander were
Chapter IV.
The Greeks. b.c.180–100. current in Barugaza, seems to show that these drachmÆ continued to circulate in GujarÁt along with the coins of the Western Kshatrapas. The mention of Apollodotus before Menander by the author of the Periplus may either be accidental, or it may be due to the fact that when the author wrote fewer coins of Menander than of Apollodotus were in circulation.

The silver coins both of Menander and Apollodotus found in GujarÁt and KÁthiÁvÁ?a are of only one variety, round drachmÆ. The reason that of their numerous large coins, tetradrachmÆ didrachmÆ and others, drachmÆ alone have been found in GujarÁt is probably the reason suggested for the introduction of the obolus of Eucratides, namely that the existing local currency was so poor that coins of small value could alone circulate. Still the fact that drachmÆ came into use implies some improvement in the currency, chiefly in size. The drachmÆ of both the kings are alike. The obverse of Menander’s coins has in the middle a helmeted bust of the king and round it the Greek legend ??S???OS SO????S ????????? Of the king the Saviour Menander. On the reverse is the figure of Athene Promachos surrounded by the Baktro-PÁli legend MahÁrÁjasa TrÁdÁtasa Menandrasa that is Of the Great king the Saviour Menander, and a monogram.19 The drachmÆ of Apollodotus have on the obverse a bust with bare filleted head surrounded by the legend ??S???OS SO????S ??????????? Of the king the Saviour Apollodotus. Except in the legend the reverse with two varieties of monogram20 is the same as the reverse of the drachmÆ of Menander. The legend in Baktro-PÁli character is MahÁrÁjasa RÁjÁtirÁjasa Apaladatasa that is Of the Great king the over-king of kings Apaladata. During his twenty-five years of coin-collecting Dr. BhagvÁnlÁl failed to secure a single copper coin of Menander either in GujarÁt or in KÁthiÁvÁ?a. Of the copper coins of Apollodotus a deposit was found in JunÁga?h, many of them well preserved.21 These coins are of two varieties, one square the other round and large. Of the square coin the obverse has a standing Apollo with an arrow in the right hand and on the top and the two sides the Greek legend ??S???OS SO????S ??? F?????????S ??????????? that is Of the King Saviour and Fatherlover Apollodotus. On the reverse is the tripod of Apollo with a monogram22 and the letter drÍ in Baktro-PÁli on the left and the legend in Baktro-PÁli characters MahÁrÁjasa TrÁdÁtasa Apaladatasa. The round coin has also, on the obverse, a standing Apollo with an arrow in the right hand; behind is the same monogram as in the square coin and all round runs the Greek legend ??S???OS SO????S ???????????. On the reverse is the tripod of Apollo with on its right and left the letters di and u in Baktro-PÁli and all round the Baktro-PÁli legend MahÁrÁjasa TrÁdÁtasa Apaladatasa.
Chapter IV.
The Greeks. b.c.180–100. The reason why so few copper coins of Apollodotus have been found in GujarÁt perhaps is that these copper coins were current only in the time of Apollodotus and did not, like his silver drachmÆ, continue as the currency of the country with the same or an imitated die. The date of the reign of Apollodotus is not fixed. General Cunningham believes it to be b.c.165–150,23 Wilson and Gardner take it to be b.c.110–100.24 Though no Indian materials enable us to arrive at any final conclusion regarding this date the fact that Apollodotus’ coins continued to be issued long after his time shows that Apollodotus was the last Baktrian-Greek ruler of GujarÁt and KÁthiÁvÁ?a. After Apollodotus we find no trace of Baktrian-Greek rule, and no other certain information until the establishment of the Kshatrapas about a.d.100. The only fact that breaks this blank in GujarÁt history is the discovery of copper coins of a king whose name is not known, but who calls himself Basileus Basileon Soter Megas that is King of Kings the Great Saviour. These coins are found in KÁthiÁvÁ?a and Cutch as well as in RÁjputÁna the North-West Provinces and the KÁbul valley, a distribution which points to a widespread Indian rule. The suggestion may be offered that this king is one of the leaders of the Yaudheyas whose constitution is said to have been tribal, that is the tribe was ruled by a number of small chiefs who would not be likely to give their names on their coins.25