Karan Singh - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Papers by Karan Singh

Proceedings of the XVI International Numismatic Congress, Warsaw, 2022

After the collapse of the Mauryan empire, political control in the Indian subcontinent fragmented... more After the collapse of the Mauryan empire, political control in the Indian subcontinent fragmented, with new regional polities coming to the fore, several of which issued coinage for local circulation. In the Punjab, from 2nd century BCE-1st century CE, several janapadas (tribal clans) issued coins, but only one city state: Pratishthana.

This paper presents seven unpublished types and examine the context of these rare coins. It provides an important glimpse of a city state that briefly issued coins before it succumbed numismatically to the powerful political entities in the region, the Indo-Scythians and the Kushans.

Journal of the Oriental Numismatic Society (JONS), Vol. 247, 2022

Erach (Erich) was an important city in northern India during the Early Historical Period, lying a... more Erach (Erich) was an important city in northern India during the Early Historical Period, lying as it did on an important trade route due to its location on the river Betwa, 70 km from Jhansi. This book brings together all the latest research on the coins and sealings of this ancient site, providing a detailed catalogue of its archaeology and historical material from the 6th century BCE to 5th century CE.

Journal of the Oriental Numismatic Society (JONS), Vol. 247, 2022

Copper jitals of the Jajapella dynasty of Narwar are well-documented, though no silver coins were... more Copper jitals of the Jajapella dynasty of Narwar are well-documented, though no silver coins were recorded by Deyell or Tye. This paper presents three silver coins of Gopala Deva (1280-1289 CE), who is known from inscriptions during his reign and that of his son Ganapati. I also propose an explanation for the overlap of the dates of Gopala Deva and Ganapati with those of Gopala's father Asala Deva.

Journal of the Oriental Numismatic Society (JONS), Vol. 246, 2021

This is an important compilation that brings together all the recent discoveries of ancient India... more This is an important compilation that brings together all the recent discoveries of ancient Indian coinage with the various series that had so far been documented but scattered across different catalogues and publications. There are, however, niggling areas where this book could have done better.

Journal of the Oriental Numismatic Society (JONS), Vol. 245, 2021

The coinage of Trigarta janapada is one of the rarest in the ‘tribal’ series of ancient India. Ju... more The coinage of Trigarta janapada is one of the rarest in the ‘tribal’ series of ancient India. Just one specimen was known for several decades, in the British Museum collection. This paper will add two more types from the author's collection to the corpus of coins of this janapada. I will also attempt to locate its territory and examine the possibility of identifying Trigarta with the Takkadesa of historical texts.

Journal of the Oriental Numismatic Society (JONS), Vol. 244, 2021

This paper examines the early use of lead coinage in northwestern India, specifically in the Punj... more This paper examines the early use of lead coinage in northwestern India, specifically in the Punjab. We know of a few rulers in this region with names ending in 'mitra', who issued copper coins with Kharoshthi legends. This paper adds three square lead coins to the corpus of known coins of the Mitra kings. It is possible that the use of lead and of Brahmi legends was a regional characteristic of eastern Punjab, representing an indigenous numismatic tradition.

Journal of the Oriental Numismatic Society (JONS), Vol. 243, 2021

The numismatic development of the Karttikeya-Devasena coin type is linked to the political fortun... more The numismatic development of the Karttikeya-Devasena coin type is linked to the political fortunes of the Yaudheyas as they spread out after the decline of the Kushans. This paper proposes a new classification for this series, based on the placement of the legend and the presence of symbols on the reverse.

Journal of the Oriental Numismatic Society (JONS), Vol. 240, 2020

In the divine pantheon of Hinduism, the goddess Durga occupies a special position as the embodime... more In the divine pantheon of Hinduism, the goddess Durga occupies a special position as the embodiment of female shakti (cosmic energy), fighting against evil demons. Her most popular depiction is in the Mahishasura Mardini form, where she is shown slaying the demon Mahishasura (half-human, half-buffalo) at her feet. This paper publishes the first numismatic depiction of Durga as Mahishasura Mardini to be discovered. These rare coins were issued by a single ruler in two different types: one in silver and the other in copper.

Journal of the Oriental Numismatic Society (JONS), Vol. 239, 2020

The Ujjain series of copper coins is rich in symbols and varied, yet it features only six inscrib... more The Ujjain series of copper coins is rich in symbols and varied, yet it features only six inscribed types. This short note adds one more king, Balamitra, to this exclusive club. Balamitra is called 'Rano' (King), a title that is not seen on the coins of any other ruler in this series.

Journal of the Oriental Numismatic Society (JONS), Vol. 238, 2019

When the Suri dynasty was supplanted by the returning Mughals in 1554-1557 as the rulers of north... more When the Suri dynasty was supplanted by the returning Mughals in 1554-1557 as the rulers of northern India, the transition was not as clear-cut as when Sher Shah Suri had evicted Humayun 15 years previously. This time the change in power was marked by multiple kings, each staking his hold over a part of northern India. This paper presents a new type of rupee that has not been recorded so far, issued by Muhammad Shah Ghazi, the Bengal claimant to the Suri throne.

Journal of the Oriental Numismatic Society (JONS), Vol. 236, 2019

The Kuras were one of the regional powers in the Deccan that sprang up at the start of the first ... more The Kuras were one of the regional powers in the Deccan that sprang up at the start of the first millennium CE. They were late contemporaries of the Satavahanas, and issued coins in lead and potin. This paper presents the first ever gold seal of the Kuras, issued by a female ruler Baduka who took the male title of Maharathi.

Journal of the Oriental Numismatic Society (JONS), Vol. 234, 2018

The Panchala kingdom in northern India produced a long series of copper coinage for several centu... more The Panchala kingdom in northern India produced a long series of copper coinage for several centuries. Two new kings have now been discovered through their coins: Rajnyah Bhanumitra and Rajnyah Vijayamitra. The presence of these independent kings - with their royal titles and complex iconography - indicates that Panchala coinage continued well into the Kushan era and there was no long interlude during Kushan rule in northern India. This paper presents the coins of these two Panchala kings and discusses the importance of this discovery.

Journal of the Oriental Numismatic Society (JONS), Vol. 230, 2017

This paper discusses six recently discovered coins, which were issued by the Kidarite Huns in the... more This paper discusses six recently discovered coins, which were issued by the Kidarite Huns in the north-western part of the Indian subcontinent in the fifth century AD.

Numismatic Digest, Vol. 38, 2014

In all academic listings and catalog descriptions till now, the object that the horseman is holdi... more In all academic listings and catalog descriptions till now, the object that the horseman is holding in his right hand has been described as a mace. Yet in my collection there exists a specimen where the horseman is clearly holding up a sword. This constitutes a new variety of this coin type.

Journal of the Oriental Numismatic Society (JONS), Vol. 221, 2014

The Murshidabad hoard ranks among the larger hoards recorded of Gupta gold coins. Most Gupta king... more The Murshidabad hoard ranks among the larger hoards recorded of Gupta gold coins. Most Gupta kings are represented here, from Samudragupta to Kumaragupta II. Overall the quality and condition of these coins is extremely fine, showing very little evidence of circulation. In fact, the superb condition leads me to believe they were temple donations.

Journal of the Oriental Numismatic Society (JONS), Vol. 220, 2014

These silver coins are small yet attractive, with a stylised female deity seated facing on obvers... more These silver coins are small yet attractive, with a stylised female deity seated facing on obverse and a Devanagari legend ratna/deva on reverse. It is now clear from the specimens available that there are three main types in this series.

Conference Presentations by Karan Singh

Inclusive Numismatics conference, Bank of England, 2023

Portraiture on coins offers a fascinating glimpse into the artistic and cultural heritage of anci... more Portraiture on coins offers a fascinating glimpse into the artistic and cultural heritage of ancient India. Coins were an important medium for disseminating power, legitimising rulers, and promoting political and economic stability. From the first century BC onwards, portraiture played a crucial role in conveying the authority and identity of the ruling elite.

This presentation examines royal portraits for invaluable insights into the attire, hairstyles and jewellery of the ancient period, as well as the evolution of artistic styles and influences across the centuries. The detailed and intricate portraits seen on these coins serve as a visual record of the rulers' power, authority and cultural milieu, offering a window into the ancient past of the Indian subcontinent.