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Gandhran Studies 4 11
Wima Takto One or Two ?
Archaeological and Numismatic evidence from Gandhra
M. Nasim Khan
The Kushan history of Gandhrais mainly
based on numismatic and epigraphic
evidence as well as literary sources.
Despite the large number of researches on
Kushan history based on these proofs, we
do not find any agreement on certain
aspects of the Kushan history, particularly
the chronological order of the rulers and
other related issues; this may be due to
lack of concrete evidence. The recent
researches on Kushan chronology which ismainly founded on numismatic study and
epigraphic evidence has given answers to
some of the important questions,
particularly regarding the nameless king
Soter Megas,who is now identified with
Wima Takto, and is known as the second
great Kushan ruler in Gandhra. The
general chronological sequence for the
early Kushan rulers is established as
follows.
Kujula Kadphises
Wima Takto
Wima Kadphises
Kanishka I
Huvishka
Vasudeva I
Although the above order of succession of
the early Kushan rulers is widely
accepted, the result of recent
archaeological excavations at Aziz Dheri
may differ with it and particularly with
that of Wima Takto, or the result of the
excavations may add more to the
chronological order of the early Kushan
rulers. Before going into the results of the
excavations conducted in 2007/2008, an
attempt has been made to survey the
different findings of Wima Takto coins
that came from several different
archaeological sites, so far, excavated in
Pakistan, particularly in the region ofGandhra.
Research activities in the region of
Gandhra and its surroundings has
continued for many decades and have, so
far, resulted the discoveries of thousands
of antiquities where among others the
most important are the numismatic
evidence. During these archaeological
activities, coins belonging to the early
Kushan period have been recorded in large
number but unfortunately that most of
them do not show their exactarchaeological context. For example, more
than one-hundred and thirty Wima Takto
coins are stored in the Peshawar Museum
(Ali, I. et al 2004: 27-76) but they neither
show their archaeological context nor their
exact provenance1.
Compared to other Kushan rulers, a
limited number of coins of Wima Takto
were recorded during excavations.
Although found during excavations, mostof these coins still do not show their exact
stratigraphic context. They either came
from debris or were found in pits or even
in groups. The total number of such coins
recorded during excavation, so far, is
about two hundred and two and majority
of them were found in different sites at
Taxila. The rest of these were recovered
from other sites such as Tulamba,
Manikiyala, Butkara I and III, Saidu
Sharif, Shnaisha, Andandheri, Sri Bahlol,Mir Ziyarat, Ghaz Dheri, Pakhana,
Shaikhan Dheri, Ranigat, Kashmir Smast
and Aziz Dheri (see fig. 1).
1 The Peshawar Museum collection showsmainly two groups of coins based on their
denomination, the 8g series and the 2g coins.
The last group consists of only four coins
(PM_07098, PM_07099, PM_07104 andPM_09936).
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The number of excavated Wima Takto
coins from sites in Gandhra may not be
as significant as other groups of coins of
Kushan dynasty but their contextual study
is as important as the study of other
cultural materials recovered from the
above mentioned sites. Such a study may
help us in understanding the order of
succession of the early Kushan rulers
particularly the place of Wima Takto.
A single specimen of Wima Takto coin
was found at Tulamba, an important
historic period site located in the district
of Multan. About fifty-one layers were
exposed in the nine feet deposit of themound and above the natural soil. The
number of coins found at the site was six
(Mughal 1967: 150-152). Only two of
them were identified; one belongs to
Apollodotus, one to Wima Takto and two
were attributed to Shahbuddin Mohammad
Ghori. The Wima Takto coin was
recovered from layer 45 in the deposit
between Indo-Greek and the Islamic
period.
Similarly, from Sonala Pind at Manikyala,
only one coin of Wima Takto was
recovered from the centre of the stupa.
(Errington 2000: table).
A number of important Wima Takto coins
were recovered at the archaeological sites
of Taxila during the excavations
conducted by Marshall in1913-1936 (fig.
1). Apart from the one-hundred and eight
coins of Wima Takto, thousands of othercoins belonging to different periods were
found where majority of them are
associated with the Kushan period. The
coins of Wima Takto (Marshall, vol. II:
786; see also the table below), on the basis
of their weight standard, can mainly be
classified into two groups. Thirty-six of
them are of about 2g series while seventy-
two are of 8g denomination.
Out of 7665 coins recovered from all the
stratas of Sirkap, twelve coins belong to
Wima Takto (Marshall 1951: 210, 212)
and are of common type, a radiate bust on
the obverse and a horse rider on the
reverse. The exact stratigraphic position
for most of these coins is unclear.
From the Buddhist remains at
Dharmarajika and in the filling on which
stands K3 stupa, three coins of Kanishka
and one of Wima Takto were recovered
from a deposit. Some more wererecovered from the site but unfortunately
no stratigraphic difference was made in
the floors of the court, and the antiques
have been taken together as a whole
collection (e.g. Marshall 1951: 240, 247,
261, 278). This is the case not only for
Dharmarajika but for all the sites
excavated by Sir John Marshal or his
colleagues in Taxila.
Two-hundred-seventy-two coins werefound at Akhuari (site B) wherein ten
belong to Wima Takto (Marshall 1951:
317) while two hundred-thirty-eight are
associated to Vasu Deva and the rest to the
other Kushan rulers such as Wima
Kadphises, Kanishka and Huvishka. In
cell 13 of Site C and at the north side of
the steps, from the square base of the stupa
thirty-eight coins were recovered
including those of Azes I, Azes II, Wima
Kadphises, Kanishka, Huvishka,Gondophares and sixteen of Wima Takto
(Marshall 1951: 318). From D1, at the
stupa court and room 10a of Khader
Mohra, one Wima Takto coin was
recorded (Marshall 1951: 319). These
coins were mostly found in groups and a
conclusive chronology for the site is
difficult to establish.
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Gandhran Studies 4 13
Fig. 1a: Map showing finding spots of Wima Takto coins discovered in Taxila
At the monastery of Kalwan and in Court
C, seventeen coins in copper were found.
Among these, one belongs to Wima Takto
and was found at D5 together with the
coin of Kanishka (Marshall 1951: 334). A
hoard of copper coins, containing one
Wima Takto coin, was discovered at Court
F.; Evidently this hoard had been hidden,
during the reign of Vasu Deva, in a hole in
the wall, probably above the doorway, andhad remained there for the best part of
three centuries until the wall itself
collapsed during the wholesale destruction
of the monastery., Marshall stated
(Marshall 1951 336).
A good number of three-hundred-nine
coins were found at Giri monastery which
includes five Wima Takto coins recovered
from C debris and D4, 7 and 10 (Marshall
1951: 347). At Jandial, twenty-four coins
comprising of the Indo-Greek, Indo-
Scythian and Kushan period were
discovered. Among these, fourteen are of
Wima Takto; twelve of them were found
near the steps of the stupa where they had
seemingly been buried after the earlier
stupa had fallen to ruin but before the later
was built. The rest of the objects were
found scattered among the debris
(Marshall 1951: 356, 357). The totalnumber of coins found at Mohra Moradu
is eighty-four. Two of them are of Wima
Takto (Marshall 1951: 363, 364). Ninety-
nine coins were found at Jaulian
Monastery including two Wima Takto
coins. One of Wima Takto coins as well as
three Vasu Deva coins and three Sasanian
coins were recovered from cell 3
(Marshall 1951: 385, 386). The excavation
at Kholay in Taxila also produced two
Wima Takto coins.
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Gandhran Studies 4 14
The site of Badalpur which was for the
first time excavated by N. Aiyer in 1916-
17 and then in 2005 and onwards by the
Federal Directorate of Archaeology and
Museums, Govt of Pakistan has also
produced three copper coins of Wima
Takto, two were found during 1916-17
excavations and the other one probably in
2005. According to the excavator, the last
one was in a coins hoard which mostly
consisted of Wima Kadphises, Kanishka,
Huvishka and Vasudeva I coins (Khan, A.
et al2010). From the same trench and the
same layer (X/12, layer 3), a copper coin
of Samanta Deva, a Hindu Shahi ruler,
was also recovered. The catalogue of thecoins shows that majority of these,
whether they are early Kushan, late
Kushan or belong to the Hindu Shahi
period were found in Trench X/12, layer
3. If the finding spot for all these coins is
the same, then it would be difficult to
believe late or early Kushan date of the
monastery (Aiyar 1917: 2-3; Marshall 1960:181) because of the presence of the Hindu-
Shahi period coin found together within the
hoard or recovered from the same level. The
only possibility to give reason for the
presence of Samanta Deva coin found
together with the Kushan coins would be to
suppose that either the hoard was deposited
during the Hindu Shahi period or the site
was extremely disturbed or the Kushan
period coins were reused during the Hindu
Shahi period which seems difficult tobelieve.
Fig.1b: Map showing location of Wima Takto coins discovered in Swat and Peshawar valley
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Gandhran Studies 4 15
From the different Buddhist sites in Swat
(fig.1b), about twenty copper coins of
Wima Takto were recovered; fourteen
from Butkara I, one from Butkara III, four
from Saidu Sharif and one from Shnaisha
stupa site. The Butkara I coins were found
in the different areas of the mound but
mostly in the same level where other
Kushan period coins were observed (see
table 3). During excavation at Butkara III,
altogether two coins were recorded; one of
these belongs to Wima Takto and the other
to Vasu Deva (Rahman 1991: 154-155).
Both of these were not recovered from the
same level and context. The coin of WimaTakto was found in the courtyard of the
site and was recovered from underneath a
damaged stucco sculpture seated crossed
legs on a podium (figs. 2 and 3) while the
Vasu Deva coin was found on the floor.
According to the excavator, four structural
phases were observed. The early phase is
dated to the Pre-Soter Megas while the last
one is associated with the coin of
Vasudeva (Rahman 1991: 154). The stupa
site at Saidu Sharif has also produced a
number of coins of the early Kushan
period including four copper coins of
Wima Takto; two of them are drachm
series and the other two didrachm. The
other coins include those of Huvishka,
Vasudeva and later Kushan (Callieri, P.
231-233). During Shnaisha excavation, a
single coin of Wima Takto was found on a
paved floor associated with a votive stupa
no. 2. It weighs 8.1g and measures 20mm
(Rahman 1993: 16. 19, 39). As it comesfrom debris (see below) of the later period,
it cannot help us to date this stupa in the
early phase of the early Kushan rulers.
The other coins from the site belong to the
late Kushan or Hindu Shahi period.
Fig. 2: Vima Takto coin from Butkara III
Fig. 3: Butkara III. Finding spot of the Wima Takto coin
During Andandheri excavation, two odd
coins, one probably of Wima Kadphises
and the other of Wima Takto (Dani 1968,vol. IV: Plate No. 6:1.) and four hoards
were found. Most of these coins belong to
the late Kushan period. The only Wima
Takto coin recorded at the site was foundin the lowest stratum of the site and in a
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Gandhran Studies 4 16
trench CO (Dani 1968: 41). The three
periods, I-III, are dated on the basis of
numismatic evidence; period I is
associated with the early Kushan, period II
dated to the 3rdcentury AD and period III
to the time of the Shaka (Dani 1968: 37).
At Ranigat, only one coin was found and
according to the excavator, This coin was
found in the Deep South Trench in the
main stupa area ( S5E2), almost the same
layer in which we found the No-1 coin
(Odani 1988: 119). It is the bust and horse
rider coin and weighing 8.4g. From strata
II of the West Trench Azes copper coins
were recovered (Nishikawa et al 1988).
Similarly, the Hindu shrine at KashmirSmast has, so far, produced five copper
coins of Wima Takto (Nasim Khan et al.
2008: 51). One of these is weighing 3.77g
and measures 18.3mm. The average
weight for the rest of the four coins is
1.45g. In one example, the obverse shows
diademed bust to the right while the
reverse is marked with a horse standing to
the left with raised foreleg. In another
example, the coin depicts a bust, havingsun rays, facing right. The reverse shows
horse rider to the right. The rest of the
coins depict a standing figure on the
obverse while the city goddess on the
reverse. We do not know about their exact
finding spots.
A single specimen of Wima Takto was
found at Sri Bahlol Mound B; this coin
equally does not show its exact
stratigraphic level.
Only one coin of Wima Takto was found
at Mir Ziyarat (Marshal and Vogel ) and
one at Ghaz Dheri, Charsadda, (Errington
1999/2000: 213) but their stratigraphic
levels are unclear. One more coin of the
same ruler was found on surface at the
Pakhana Dheri site, Charsadda
(Muhammadzai 2010: 63, No. 18, pl. 9,
fig. 18).
The most important evidence of Wima
Takto coins is found during excavation at
Shaikhan Dheri (fig. 8, table 3) which has
produced a total number of four-hundred
and five coins including thirty-five coins
of Wima Takto; for eight of Wima Takto
coins the exact stratigraphic context is
unknown (see table 3). Interestingly,
among the rest of the twenty seven coins,
only five coins are of 2g series. Among
coins from Shaikhan Dheri, thirteen coins
are associated to the early Kushana period
and twenty-five to the middle Kushana.
According to Dani, On the topmost layers
a number of coins of Vasudeva I (copper
coin of Siva and bull type) were
recovered. These were the last issues on
Shaikhan Dheri. (Dani 1966: 23). Heclassified the construction of the city into
three different phases: Phase A-C. Phase
A is further subdivided into three periods,
I-III. Period III is associated to the early
Kushan period that includes the time of
Soter Megas, Wima Kadphises, and
Kujula Kadhpises while period II is
associated to Kanishka and Huvishka and
period I to the time of Vasudeva. But
looking at Danis chart 2, it may give us
another picture.
Most of the coins recorded at Taxila or in
most of the other sites mentioned above
are either found in groups, recovered from
debris or found on surface or came
through illegal diggings. To give an
example of Sirkap, from where thousands
of antiquities were recovered, Marshall
says, The inferences to be drawn from
stratification are far from being as clear-
cut and definite as could be wished, andthe evidence available must be handled
with the great caution. This is all
necessary because of the widespread
disturbance of the ground, affecting all the
lower strata, which followed the
rebuilding of the city after the great
earthquake...In old times the practice of
burying valuables deep beneath the ground
floor or basement rooms was common,
with the result that such valuables are
sometimes found in the stratum belowthe one to which they properly belong.
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Gandhran Studies 4 18
stucco sculptures in this early period of
Gandhra(see below)3.
The two relic-caskets4 found during
excavation at Pataka were carefully
examined by the author and it was found
that the large one is inscribed with an
inscription on the inner surface of the
receptacle5. It seems to be written in
cursive Kharoshthi letters but its reading is
3A detailed report is going to be published in the
coming issue of the Gandharan Studies.4 Contradictions have been observed in the
statements about the finding spots of the two
relic caskets found in the same stupa at Pataka.Three different accounts are available. Swati
found them in two different chambers of the
stupa and arranged one above the other. S.N.
Khan (verbal communication), one of the
excavator of the site, said that the small relic
casket was placed above the large one to cover
the opening in the lid of the large relic casket.
While the layout and sectional drawings
prepared on the spot by Mr. Daud Kamal, the
then draftsman of the Department of
archaeology, show that they were found side by
side. As far as the photographic record of the
chambers and the large relict casket found in situ
is concerned, it shows that the large one was
found above the small and may have been buried
in two different chambers. One of the
photographs of the large relic casket found in
situ shows that a harmika and chatra/s were
found also fixed into the opening of the lid of the
relic casket (fig. 5) which contradicts to S. Khan
statement. As shown by the relevant
photographs, the material used for the yashti and
catra/s was probably white marble or other
materials in white colour.5 The inner surface of the receptacle is dividedinto four sectors by a horizontal and a vertical
line crossing each other at right angles. These
lines may show the four cardinal points of the
universe. Interestingly, two long and almost
round slabs were recovered from the centre and
the base of the main stupa at Aziz Dheri
arranged in the same manner as the engraved
lines of the relic casket. We do not know about
the exact direction of the slabs but we were told
by the excavator of the stupa that they were
arranged in north-south and east-west directions.
One of the slabs is still lying buried in the stupawhile the other one is removed but is still lying
at the site.
extremely difficult due to its faint nature.
The presence of the Kharosthi inscription
in a cursive form may indicate late date of
the relic-casket.
Fig. 4. Relic-casket containing among other
antiquities, a square coin of Apollodotus II
Fig. 5. Pataka. Finding spot of the reliquary
Fig. 6. Pataka. Plinth of the stupa with stucco
sculptures
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Gandhran Studies 4 19
Fig. 7. Relief panel from Pataka
As far as Aziz Dheri is concerned,according to the excavator of 1993 season
excavation, late Kushan period coins have
been recovered from behind the stair risers
of the main stupa (Errington 2000: 197)
and the basis of these coins the stupa is
believed to be dated to the late Kushan
period which is not really the case as
shown by the recent archaeological
investigation at Aziz Dheri (Nasim Khan
2010;). Same is the case for other sites in
Gandhra.
The above examples show that the finding
of a coin in a site does not always prove
that the remains from where the coin was
recovered would be regarded as
contemporary to the object. The object
could have been dropped, donated or re-
used in a later period for many reasons
until and unless they were found in a
proper stratigraphic context conforming to
answer also other related questions.
Moreover, the architecture and the study
of art may also not be generously used and
be considered as a sure criteria of dating
as it is already observed, Our conclusion
therefore must be that the first Buddha
images could have been made during the
rule of Wima Kadphises (Lohuizen 1946:
99). According to Dani, This conclusion
has to be modified in the light of the
present evidence, if the excavations, so far
carried out at Shaikhan Dheri, can be
generalized. As the house of Naradakha
was existing during the time of Wima
Kadphises, we were very particular to note
any sculptural finding in this level but to
our surprise we got none. The earliest
sculptures in our dig belong to the time of
Kanishka.(Dani 1966: 39).
The Wima Takto coins so far found in
Gandhraare catalogued under our Table
3. A detailed analysis of these coins,
whether recovered from a proper
stratigraphic context, or found in groups
or recovered from debris do not help us to
establish an exact chronological profile ofany of the mentioned sites and the
sequence of the coins in order of
succession. The reason may not only be an
improper excavation of certain sites or an
inexact recording of the antiquities but the
main explanation would also be the
general nature of the historic period sites.
The structures and levels of these sites are
mostly re-used for decades and the
antiquities of different periods are
sometime found together and in most ofthe cases it is difficult to understand and
differentiate the different stratas,
particularly those found inside the
structures, mostly those of the late or post-
Kushan period taking for example the site
of Aziz Dheri (Nasim Khan 2010) where
many hotchpotch were found during
excavation. Such facts, therefore, reveal
the problem that antiquities recovered
from a similar deposit are generally hard
to understand and difficult to put in aproper chronological sequence. For such
antiquities or those found in a well
stratified deposits, particularly coins, it is
always the already established
chronological sequence which is
generalised even it sometimes contradict
to the chronology of the site as it is the
case with Aziz Dheri in regards to Wima
Takto (see below).
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Gandhran Studies 4 20
Fig. 8. Shaikhan Dheri excavation (1963/1964)
Being one of the most important sites in
Gandhra, the stupa and settlement site ofAziz Dheri was discovered in 1976 (S.N.
Khan 2002:). But the first excavation of
the site has taken place in 1993 which
continued till 2006 but with some
intervals. Hundreds of coins were
recovered from the site. Although these
coins are extremely important for the
numismatic study and for the archaeology
of the site, they have created a great
confusion in understanding the site simply
because their study in a context,particularly those of the Kushan kings,
may do not conform to the numismatic
research. If the already established
sequence of the Kushan rulers is followed
then we will not be able to work-out of the
different occupational levels of the mound
(see Nasim Khan 2010, vol. 1). Believing
on the already established chronology of
the Kushan kings would mean the site of
Aziz Dheri is either extremely disturbed
or the objects are not properly recorded orsome of them have been re-used otherwise
there is something wrong with the
sequential order of Kushan rulers.
To answer these questions and to
understand the true cultural profile of the
site excavation at Aziz Dheri was carried
out in 2007/08. During the whole season
of work, the site was found very well
preserved with an uninterrupted and
complete cultural sequence starting from
at least the Indo-Greek to the Hindu Shahi
period; this is based on the different
antiquities, particularly inscriptions, coins,seal and sealings recorded at the site.
Before the 2007 excavation, at least five
coins of Wima Takto were recorded.
According to G.R. Khan (Khan, G.R.
1999), sixty coins were recovered from
Layer 4 wherein only one was of Wima
Takto. The rest were mostly of the late
Kushan or Kushano Sasanian rulers. From
Layer 6, one out of the seventy-two coins
belongs to Wima Takto while majority ofthe rest of the coins are associated with the
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Gandhran Studies 4 22
the other group of coins. Should we take it
also as a coincidence? The discovery of
Wima Takto coins atthe two different
levels and in two different areas of the
mound may not be taken as a coincidence,
but these discoveries in fact compel us to
think about revisiting the sequence of the
early Kushan rulers using archaeological
evidence side by side with the numismatic
studies to reach a certain conclusion.
The numismatic evidence suggests that
Wima Takto was ruling after the reign of
the Indo-Parthian ruler Sassan and may be
before Pakores who seems to be one of the
last Indo-Parthian rulers. This is based onthe two over-struck coins preserved in the
British Museum. In one of the examples
(fig. 11), Pakores coin is over-struck on
Wima Takto 8g series coin suggesting that
Pakores was either ruling sometime after
Wima Takto in the region or may have
been a contemporary ruler of the said king
(Senior 2001: 127). The other example of
the British Museum shows that the coin of
Wima Takto is over-struck on Sasan
(Sims-Williams and Cribb 1995/6: fig.11.b; Errington and Curtis 2007: 61.7).
Although these two coins do not help us to
give an exact date to Pakores and Sassan
rule, they still show that Pakores was a
director or indirect successor of Sassan.
Another coin over struck on Wima Takto
is the specimen from Vasudeva Oesho and
bull type. The Soter Megas tamga6 is
visible in the right field of the obverse
side. The inscription on the obverse reads:AONANOAO BAZOHO KOANO
(see G.R. Khan, present issue: F5a). The
date for Vasudeva I reign is c. AD 190-
227).
The date of Wima Takto reign is fixed
between 90-113 AD while the Indo-
Pathians were supposedly ruling in
6
We are not sure whether the supposed tamga wasonly used or introduced by Wima Takto or it has
been used before or after by other rulers.
Gandhra during c. AD 32-70 (Errington
2007: 253). The date for Sassan reign is
considered as c. AD 64-70.
Fig. 11. Coin of Pakores (Courtesy BM)
We do not have yet any exact
chronological table for the different rulers
of the Indo-Parthian dynasty. The table
established by Senior (Senior 2001, vol. 1:
table 27) and showing the order of
succession of the Indo-Parthian rulers
suggests that Kujula Kadphises was
contemporary to Abdagases whose date
seems suggested from c. BC 5-AD 20);
the table lists Pakores as one of the last
rulers of the Indo-Parthian kingdom. But
the other recent work gives a late date to
Abdagases and places his rule between c.AD 64-70 (Errington and Curtis 2007:
253). The date for Wima Takto rule is
fixed by Errington between c. AD 90-113
(Errington and Curtis 2007: 253). Due to
lack of concrete evidence, an exact date of
theIndo-Parthian rule would be difficult to
give.
An epigraphic evidence found in Dir,
places the rule of Abdagases in c. AD 40-
60. This important Kharoshthi inscriptionwas found in the area of Dir and was first
published by Akira Sadakata (Sadakata...)
but unfortunately ignored or unsolicited
by scholars for unknown reasons. The Dir
relic casket inscription suggests that being
an immediate successor of Gondophares in
Gandhra (Senior 2001, vol. 1: 124) the
reign of Gondophares may be fixed
somewhere in the first half of the first
century AD rather than in the last half of
the first century BC as suggested bySenior (Senior 2001, vol. 1: 126). If it is
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Gandhran Studies 4 23
the case and if we consider an average
reign of 20 years of the different rulers of
the Indo-Parthian dynasty, keeping aside
the question of subordinate sovereigns, the
rule of Sasan can be suggested between c.
AD 60-80. The accumulative total length
of region for the rest of the Indo-Parthian
rulers listed by Senior (Senior 2001, vol.
1: Table 27) may, therefore, not be less
than 80 years which will give an
approximate date to Pakores reign AD
140-160. The coin of Pakores over-struck
on the heavy weight Wima Takto coin
suggests that the region of Wima Takto
can be put, if not contemporary to
Pakores, in the first half of the 2
nd
centuryAD.
To combine both numismatic studies with
archaeological consideration as well as
epigraphic evidence one can suggest that
there were most probably two different
kings issuing the same type of coins with
different weight standard. The one
mentioned in the Rabatak inscription
certainly comes before Wima Kadphises;
Wima Takto as the second great Kushanruler is also confirmed by the
archaeological evidences from Aziz Dheri.
The average coin denomination of the said
ruler is about 2g. While denomination of
the second group of coins, which were
found above the level of Kanishka or
Huvishka and were recovered together
with Vasudeva I coins, is about 8g and
may be associated to another ruler of the
same name.
Although this is a fragmentary approach to
the subject, I hope further scientific and
systematic excavations and fresh research
based on new materials in the region can
help us to say for sure whether there was
one or two Wima Takto7.
7 The site of Aziz Dheri is a very well preserved
site with a very thick deposit and there is greatpotential in the site to answer the said question. The
site needs a large scale excavation.
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Gandhran Studies 4 24
Fig. 12: Excavation at Aziz Dheri (2007/2008): Trench DVI-3
Fig. 13: Excavation at Aziz Dheri (2007/2008). Trench BCV-9/3.
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Gandhran Studies 4 26
4 (Nasim Khan et al 2008: 2.7)
Context: DVI-3; Depth 1.3m
Material: Copper
Measurement: Dia. 2cm
Weight: 7.48gr.
Obv: Diademed and radiate (?) bust to r. holding a sceptre. Tamga behind
the head.
Rev: Mounted horseman, holding whip, walking r. Tamga in front.
Fragmentary Greek legend in the margin: [ THP]
5 (Nasim Khan et al 2008: 2.6)
Context: BCV-9/3; Depth 85cm
Material: Copper
Measurement: Dia. 2.1cm
Weight: 7.52gr.As above
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Gandhran Studies 4 27
Table 3: List of coins and their provenance
No. Name of site No. of
coins
Locus Weight Ref.
1 Tulamba 1 TLB-I, Layer 45 Mughal 1967: 151
2 Manikyala
Sonala Pind
1 In the middle of the stupa Errington 1999/2000: 213
3 Sirkap 12 8 from stratum II, III4 from stratum I
Bust of king and horseman type
Marshall 1951: 782Five Samantadeva coins
from stratum I-III were also
recovered
4 Jandial temple 4 From debris Marshall 1951: 224-225
5 Dharmarajika 22+3 1 from debris of court A1 from court J, room 6
2 coins from pradakshina patha (from debris)
1 coin from apartments (from debris)
1 coin from debris in the tank
1 coin from court A of the monastery1 coin from Room 6 of Court J.
The rest are mainly from debris
Marshall 1951: 239, 240,247, 261, 278, 279, 289,
292
6 Site B
Akhauri
10 3 from floor of cell F13
3 from F152 from F19
2 found in different part of the ruins
Marshall 1951: 317
7 Site C 16 All from cell 13 Marshall 1951: 318
8 Site D
Khader Mohra
1 From D1, court A, cell 8 Marshall 1951: 319
9 Kalawan 5 1 from court C, D5 together with Kanishka
1 from court F, cell 8 (a hoard including 117
Vasudeva coins)2 from court F (hoard including 1 Kanishka and 2
Vasudeva)
1 from court F, court 5 (including 1 Kanishka and
2 Vasudeva, 1 later Kushan)
Marshall 1951: 334,336
10 Giri 5 From C debris and D4, 7 and 10 Marshall 1951: 347
11 Jandial B 19 or
14
12 found together near the foot of the stupa steps. Marshall 1951: 356 (7), 786
12 Mohra Moradu 2 Found singly Marshall 1951: 364
13 Jaulian 2 1 from cell 3 (found together with 2 Vasudeva
and 3 Sasanians)
Marshal 1951: 385, 386
14 Kholay? 2 Marshall 1951: 786, note 2
15 Badalpur 3 2 from 1917 excavation1 from Trench X/12, Layer 3 (depth. 2.24).
Weight 7.3g). (Trench X/12, layer 3 SamanataDeva)
1. Aiyar 1917: 2-32. Khan, A. et al
2009
16 But Kara I 141. CRM, layer 1 (L.1, Vasudeva I)2. CRM, layer 13. CSK, layer 14. CRC, layer 3 (L.4, Azes II)5. CMP, layer 46. CSG, layer 5 (L.2, Apollodotus I)7. CRN, on F2a8. CML, Tr. XXI, layer 69. GSt.4, Pr., Tr. VI, in the filling10. FA, CMU, layer 1 (L. 1, Vasudeva 1, L.1, 2,
Huvishka)
11. FA, CQD, layer 2 (L. 2, Vima Kadphises)12. FA, CQE, layer 4 (L. 1,2, Kanishka I; L.1,
Kujula; L.3, Eukratides I)
13. FA,CRF, layer 4, in a pot14. FA, CRF, layer 4, close to the pot
N.A Faccena 1980: Part 1, 198-199
17 Butkara III 1 Underneath a seated stucco figure 8.26g Rahman 1991: 154-155
18 Saidu Sharif I 4
1. G3, 3A2. SR11, 3B3. SR 11, 3C4. SR 11, 3C
1. 1.85g
2. 2g
3. 7.9g4. 7.8g
Callieri, P. 231-233
S 2201
S 2202
S 2248S 2249
19 Shnaisha 1 Floor of votive stupa 2 ? Rahman 1993: 16
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Gandhran Studies 4 28
20 Andan Dheri 1 Trench CO, lower stratum di-drachm Dani 1968: 41,42
21 Sri Bahlol 1 Mound B Errington 1999/2000: 213
Mir Ziyarat 1 From the will WXY Marshal & Vogel1902-3:
159
22 Ghaz Dheri 1 Errington 1999/2000: 213
This may be from Mir
Ziyarat
23 Balahisar 1 Trail pit Marshal, Vogel: 1902-
03:152
24 Pakhana Dheri 1 From surface di-drachm Qasim Jan 2010:
25 Ranigat 2 1. S5E2 (8.4)2. S1W1 (10.5) Nishikawa, K. 1994: Pl.209: Nos. 6,7
26 Aziz Dheri 10 1.Layer 8, depth 7m, BII (see Table 1.1)2.Layer 6, depth 6.6m, BI (see Table 1.2)
3.Layer 8, depth 8.1m, BII (see Table 1.3)
4.Layer 4, depth 6.3m, BI (see Table 1.4)
5. Trench E5, depth 1.1m
6. Depth 1.3m, DVI-3 (see Table 2.4)
7. Depth 1.85m, DVI-3 (see Table 2.1)
8. Depth 1.57m, DVI-3 (see Table 2.2)9. Depth 85cm, BCV-9/3 (see Table 2.5)
10. Depth 2.35m, BCV, 9/3 (see Table 2.3)
6.85g6.7g
1.55g
1.53g
?
7.48g
1.42g
1.4g
7.52g1.63g
Khan, G.R. 1999: 28, 29,108, 109
2004 unpublished report
(Reg. No. 414)
Nasim Khan 2008: 91;
2010, vol. 2:
2.7
2.92.10
2.62.8
27 ShaikhanDheri
1963
38 1. B5, layer 22. A0, layer 23. A5/B5, layer 24. A1, layer 35. A3, layer 26. A3, layer 37. A4, layer 38. B3/B4, layer 39. C3, layer 310. I10, layer 311. K8, layer 312.
A1, layer 413. A1, layer 4
14. A2, layer 4, pit15. A4/A5, layer 416. C1/B1, layer 417. C1/D1, layer 418. D1, layer 4a19. D1, layer 520. B0, layer 521. C0, layer 522. C0, layer 523. D0, layer 5a24. D1, layer 5b25. C1, layer 526. C1/D1, layer 5b27. A1/A2, layer 628. Not known29. Not known30. Not known31. Not known32. Not known33. Not known34. Not known35. Not known
1. 1g2. 10.7g3. 6.58g4. 1.06g5. 1.34g6. 5.84g7. 1.3g8. 1.36g9. 3.85g10. 1.38g11. 1.38g12.
1.32g13. 0.98g
14. 2.58g15. 1.56g16. 0.64g17. 0.7g18. 0.8g19. 1.82g20. 0.9g21. 1.3g22. 0.8g23. 1.56g24. 3.72g25. 0.8626. 1.1g27. 6.4g28. 7.56g29. 5.94g30. 6.5g31. 4.64g32. 6.24g33. 5.44g34. 6.14g35. 1.44g
1. SSAQ: 1963-2-022. SSAQ: 1963-2-1453. SSAQ: 1963-2-2814. SSAQ: 1963-2-375. SSAQ: 1963-2-1836. SSAQ: 1963-2-1177. SSAQ: 1963-2-1618. SSAQ: 1963-2-1669. SSAQ: 1963-2-16310. SSAQ: 1963-2-1311. SSAQ: 1963-2-23112.
SSAQ: 1963-2-0213. SSAQ: 1963-2-60
14. SSAQ: 1963-2-9615. SSAQ: 1963-2-8416. SSAQ: 1963-2-18817. SSAQ: 1963-2-14418. SSAQ: 1963-2-11619. SSAQ: 1963-2-15520. SSAQ: 1963-2-7121. SSAQ: 1963-2-8622. SSAQ: 1963-2-14723. SSAQ: 1963-2-11424. SSAQ: 1963-2-11025. SSAQ: 1963-2-18026. SSAQ: 1963-2-0627. SSAQ: 1963-2-15728. SSAQ: 1963-2-28629. SSAQ: 1963-2-28730. SSAQ: 1963-2-28831. SSAQ: 1963-2-28932. SSAQ: 1963-2-29033. SSAQ: 1963-2-29134. SSAQ: 1963-2-29235. SSAQ: 1963-2-293
See also Dani 1964:
31, chart 2
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Gandhran Studies 4 30
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