2,000-Year-Old Kushan Coins from King Vasudeva’s Era Found in Pakistan’s Rawalpindi

Archaeologists in Pakistan have discovered 2,000-year-old Kushan Empire coins and lapis lazuli fragments at Bhir Mound near Taxila in Rawalpindi. The coins belong to the era of King Vasudeva, one of the last great Kushan rulers. The discovery highlights the region’s ancient trade links, religious diversity, and historical importance during the early centuries of the Common Era.

Details of the Archaeological Discovery

• The excavation team unearthed bronze coins along with fragments of lapis lazuli, a prized semi-precious stone.
• Experts estimate that while the stones date back to the 6th century BC, the coins belong to the 2nd century AD, firmly placing them in the Kushan period.
• Scientific dating and numismatic analysis confirmed that the coins feature Emperor Vasudeva, regarded by historians as the last great Kushan ruler.

Coin Imagery and Religious Pluralism

• According to archaeologists, the obverse of the coins depicts King Vasudeva, while the reverse shows a female religious deity.
• This combination reflects the religious pluralism of the Kushan era, when rulers patronized multiple faiths.
• Kushan coinage often blended imagery from Indian, Iranian, Greek, and Buddhist traditions, offering valuable insight into the empire’s inclusive theological outlook.

Significance of the Discovery

• The findings underline Taxila’s political and economic importance under the Kushans.
• The religious imagery on the coins shows religious pluralism, while the presence of lapis lazuli indicates long-distance trade networks across Central and South Asia.

Kushan Rule and Taxila

The Kushan Empire flourished between the 1st and 3rd centuries AD. Under rulers like Kanishka the Great, Taxila became a major centre of administration, Buddhism, trade, and Gandharan art, blending Greek, Persian, Roman, and Indian influences.

Question

Q. The recently discovered Kushan coins in Pakistan belong to which ruler?

A. Kanishka
B. Kujula Kadphises
C. Vasudeva
D. Huvishka