★ Indra, the eponymous deity of Indramitra ★

INDIA, Post-Mauryan (Panchala). Panchalas of Adhichhatra. Indramitra, circa 75-50 BC. 1/2 Karshapana (Bronze, 16 mm, 5.42 g). Lord Indra standing facing on a ritual platform, holding thunderbolt in his right hand. Rev. INDAMITASA (in Brahmi) above, three symbols related to the Panchala dynasty. MACW 4539. An attractive example with an unusually well readable name. Very fine.

From a collection of coins from Central Asia.

The Panchala Kingdom rose in northern India amidst the collapse of the Mauryan Empire. It was among the first indigenous realms of India to strike coins bearing the ruler's name on the reverse, while the obverse usually relates to the king's name by showing his eponymous deity - in the case of Indramitra, this is Indra, the King of the Gods.