Abhiraka

Abhiraka (Greek: AYBIPAKOY, Brahmi: π‘€…π‘€ͺ𑀺𑀭𑀓 Abhiraka), also Aubheraka, Aubhirakes, or formerly Aghudaka, was an Indo-Scythian king and a member of the Kshaharata dynasty of the Western Satraps circa 30 CE. He was the father of Bhumaka, and the grandfather of Nahapana.[2][3][4]

Abhiraka
Western Satrap
The coinage of Abhiraka is similar to the coinage of Bhumaka, except it has on the obverse a winged Nike with Greek legend 'CATRAPATOY CATRAΞ OY AYBIPAKOY" ("Abhiraka, Satrap of the Satraps"). The reverse, with a lion or a horse facing a wheel, with Brahmi or Kharoshthi legend, is identical in design. Photograph from the Indian Institute for Research in Numismatic Studies.[1]
ReignCirca 30 CE
SuccessorBhumaka

He is known through his coins, which are found in the northern Pakistan area of Chukhsa, and then later in the south, suggesting a southern migration at some point, possibly in search for trade. His coins have been found in Afghanistan and as far as Arab states of the Persian Gulf.[5][4] The coinage, reminiscent of the coinage of the Indo-Greeks, has on the obverse a winged Nike with Greek legend "CATRAPATOY CATRAΞ OY AYBIPAKOY" ("Abhiraka, Satrap of the Satraps"), and the reverse shows a lion or a horse facing a wheel, with Brahmi or Kharoshthi legend around Khaharatasa Khatrapasa Abhirakasa jayatasa Abhirakasa" ("The Khsaharata Satrap Abhiraka, victory to Abhiraka").[1]

"Abhiraka" may also mean "member of the tribe of the Abhiras",[6] and a connection between "Abhiraka" and the tribe of the Abhiras has also been proposed.[7]

Notes
  1. Dev Kumar, Jhanjh (30 December 2021). Art and History: Texts, Contexts and Visual Representations in Ancient and Early Medieval India. Bloomsbury Publishing. pp. 21–22, with coin image. ISBN 978-93-89611-89-2.
  2. Dev Kumar, Jhanjh (30 December 2021). Art and History: Texts, Contexts and Visual Representations in Ancient and Early Medieval India. Bloomsbury Publishing. p. 22, with coin image. ISBN 978-93-89611-89-2.
  3. Salomon, Richard; Willis, Michael; Cribb, Joe; Shaw, Julia (2004). Buddhist Reliquaries from Ancient India. p. 39. Page 39: "Western Satraps: A convenient and useful point of entry for a discussion of chronology is provided by the coin finds and hoards which show that there were two series of rulers who called themselves or (satrap or great satrap). One series consisted of three rulers: Aubheraka, Bhumaka and Nahapana (fig. 16).2 They used the family name Khshaharta" Date on page 44. Name "Aghudaka" on page 51, note 2
  4. Cribb, Joe; Mairs (Ed.), Rachel (29 November 2020). The Graeco-Bactrian and Indo-Greek World. Routledge. pp. 657–658. ISBN 978-1-351-61028-5.
  5. R.C. Senior, p.v
  6. Ghosh, Manomohan (1975). Glimpses of Sexual Life in Nanda-Maurya India: Translation of the Caturbhāṇī, Together with a Critical Edition of Text. Manisha Granthalaya, 1975. p. 170.
  7. Dev Kumar, Jhanjh (30 December 2021). Art and History: Texts, Contexts and Visual Representations in Ancient and Early Medieval India. Bloomsbury Publishing. p. 23. ISBN 978-93-89611-89-2.

References
  • R.C. Senior, "Indo-Scythian coins and history", Volume IV.


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