Mitra dynasty (Mathura) - Revision history

UpdateBot: robot: Update article (please report if you notice any mistake or error in this edit)

2022-05-16T09:27:31Z

robot: Update article (please report if you notice any mistake or error in this edit)

CleanupBot: /* top */clean up

2022-01-03T15:09:51Z

top: clean up

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:39, 3 January 2022
Line 42:		Line 42:
	The '''Mitra dynasty''' refers to a group of local rulers whose name incorporated the suffix "-mitra" and who are thought to have ruled in the area of [[Mathura]] from around 150 BCE to 50 BCE, at the time of [[Indo-Greek]] hegemony over the region, and possibly in a tributary relationship with them.<ref name="SRQ9">{{cite book \|last1=Quintanilla \|first1=Sonya Rhie \|title=History of Early Stone Sculpture at Mathura, ca. 150 BCE - 100 CE \|date=2007 \|publisher=BRILL \|isbn=978-90-474-1930-3 \|pages=9–10 \|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=rtqvCQAAQBAJ&pg=PA9 \|language=en}}</ref><ref name="Rhie"/><ref name="Baipai">Indian Numismatic Studies K. D. Bajpai, Abhinav Publications, 2004, p.105 [https://books.google.com/books?id=chGrJUMarHoC&pg=PA105]</ref> They are not known to have been [[satrap]]s nor kings, and their coins only bear their name without any title, therefore they are sometimes simply called "the Mitra rulers of Mathura". Alternatively, they have been dated from 100 BCE to 20 BCE.<ref>On the Cusp of an Era: Art in the Pre-Kuṣāṇa World, Doris Srinivasan BRILL, 2007, p.320 [https://books.google.com/books?id=dCz8NczNbcMC&pg=PA320]</ref> The Mitra dynasty was replaced by the [[Indo-Scythian]] [[Northern Satraps]] from around 60 BCE.		The '''Mitra dynasty''' refers to a group of local rulers whose name incorporated the suffix "-mitra" and who are thought to have ruled in the area of [[Mathura]] from around 150 BCE to 50 BCE, at the time of [[Indo-Greek]] hegemony over the region, and possibly in a tributary relationship with them.<ref name="SRQ9">{{cite book \|last1=Quintanilla \|first1=Sonya Rhie \|title=History of Early Stone Sculpture at Mathura, ca. 150 BCE - 100 CE \|date=2007 \|publisher=BRILL \|isbn=978-90-474-1930-3 \|pages=9–10 \|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=rtqvCQAAQBAJ&pg=PA9 \|language=en}}</ref><ref name="Rhie"/><ref name="Baipai">Indian Numismatic Studies K. D. Bajpai, Abhinav Publications, 2004, p.105 [https://books.google.com/books?id=chGrJUMarHoC&pg=PA105]</ref> They are not known to have been [[satrap]]s nor kings, and their coins only bear their name without any title, therefore they are sometimes simply called "the Mitra rulers of Mathura". Alternatively, they have been dated from 100 BCE to 20 BCE.<ref>On the Cusp of an Era: Art in the Pre-Kuṣāṇa World, Doris Srinivasan BRILL, 2007, p.320 [https://books.google.com/books?id=dCz8NczNbcMC&pg=PA320]</ref> The Mitra dynasty was replaced by the [[Indo-Scythian]] [[Northern Satraps]] from around 60 BCE.

	Some sources consider that the Mitra dynasty ruled at a later date, during the 1st or 2nd century CE, and that they ruled from Mathura to [[Saketa]], where they replaced the [[Deva dynasty (Saketa)\|Deva dynasty]].<ref name="Kishore">~~Ayodhya Revisited by Kunal Kishore p.24~~ [https://books.google.com/books?id=gKKaDAAAQBAJ&pg=PA24]</ref>		Some sources consider that the Mitra dynasty ruled at a later date, during the 1st or 2nd century CE, and that they ruled from Mathura to [[Saketa]], where they replaced the [[Deva dynasty (Saketa)\|Deva dynasty]].<ref name="Kishore">[https://books.google.com/books?id=gKKaDAAAQBAJ&pg=PA24 Ayodhya Revisited by Kunal Kishore p.24]</ref>

	In addition to the Mitra dynasties of Saketa ([[Kosala]] kingdom) and Mathura, there were Mitra dynasties in [[Ahichchhatra]] ([[Panchala]] kingdom) and [[Kosambi\|Kaushambi]] ([[Vatsa]] kingdom). During the 1st century BCE to 2nd century CE, the [[Mitra dynasty (Kosambi)\|Mitras of Kaushambi]] also appear to have extended their hegemony over [[Magadha]] (including [[Pataliputra]]), and possibly [[Kannauj]] as well.<ref name="Bajpai2004">{{cite book\|author=K. D. Bajpai\|title=Indian Numismatic Studies\|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=chGrJUMarHoC&pg=PA39\|date=October 2004\|publisher=Abhinav Publications\|isbn=978-81-7017-035-8\|pages=37–39,45}}</ref>		In addition to the Mitra dynasties of Saketa ([[Kosala]] kingdom) and Mathura, there were Mitra dynasties in [[Ahichchhatra]] ([[Panchala]] kingdom) and [[Kosambi\|Kaushambi]] ([[Vatsa]] kingdom). During the 1st century BCE to 2nd century CE, the [[Mitra dynasty (Kosambi)\|Mitras of Kaushambi]] also appear to have extended their hegemony over [[Magadha]] (including [[Pataliputra]]), and possibly [[Kannauj]] as well.<ref name="Bajpai2004">{{cite book\|author=K. D. Bajpai\|title=Indian Numismatic Studies\|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=chGrJUMarHoC&pg=PA39\|date=October 2004\|publisher=Abhinav Publications\|isbn=978-81-7017-035-8\|pages=37–39, 45}}</ref>

	==The dynasty==		==The dynasty==

imported>Tulika and Satvik at 13:39, 3 February 2021

2021-02-03T13:39:22Z

New page

{{Other uses|Mitra dynasty (disambiguation){{!}}Mitra dynasty}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2018}}
{{Use Indian English|date=September 2018}}
{{Infobox country
| conventional_long_name = Mitras of Mathura
| common_name = Mitra dynasty
| year_start = 150 BCE
| year_end = 50 BCE
| event_end = Conquest of Mathura and Saketa by the [[Northern Satraps]] around 60 BCE
| capital = [[Mathura]]
| government_type = Monarchy
| p1 = Datta dynasty
| p2 =
| s1 = Northern Satraps
| s2 = Indo-Scythians{{!}}Scythian Empire
| s3 =
| religion = [[Hinduism]]
| today = [[India]]
}}

{{multiple image| align = right | direction = horizontal | header_align = left/right/center | header=Mitra dynasty| footer = '''Left image''': Coin of [[Gomitra]] of [[Mathura]] (reverse): Standing figure with symbols around, probably goddess [[Lakshmi]].<ref name="BI">{{cite journal |last1=Paul |first1=Pran Gopal |last2=Paul |first2=Debjani |title=Brahmanical Imagery in the Kuṣāṇa Art of Mathurā: Tradition and Innovations |journal=East and West |date=1989 |volume=39 |issue=1/4 |page=117 |issn=0012-8376|jstor=29756891 }}</ref> Inscription ''Gomitasa'' in [[Brahmi]]. <br> '''Right image''': Coin of [[Brahmamitra]] (reverse): Standing figure with raised arm, probably Lakshmi holding a lotus,<ref name="BI"/> surrounded by symbols. Legend ''Brahmamitasa'' in [[Brahmi]].| footer_align = left | image1 =Gomitra of Mathura.jpg| width1 = 200 | caption1 = | image2 =Brahmamitra.jpg| width2 = 186 | caption2 = }}
{{Location map
| India
| width = 200px
| float =
| border =
| caption = Location of the Mitra dynasty in [[Mathura]], [[India]].
| alt =
| relief = yes
| AlternativeMap =
| overlay_image =
| label =
| label_size =
| position =
| background =
| mark =
| marksize =
| link =
| lat_deg = 27.5
| lon_deg = 77.65
}}
The '''Mitra dynasty''' refers to a group of local rulers whose name incorporated the suffix "-mitra" and who are thought to have ruled in the area of [[Mathura]] from around 150 BCE to 50 BCE, at the time of [[Indo-Greek]] hegemony over the region, and possibly in a tributary relationship with them.<ref name="SRQ9">{{cite book |last1=Quintanilla |first1=Sonya Rhie |title=History of Early Stone Sculpture at Mathura, ca. 150 BCE - 100 CE |date=2007 |publisher=BRILL |isbn=978-90-474-1930-3 |pages=9–10 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=rtqvCQAAQBAJ&pg=PA9 |language=en}}</ref><ref name="Rhie"/><ref name="Baipai">Indian Numismatic Studies K. D. Bajpai, Abhinav Publications, 2004, p.105 [https://books.google.com/books?id=chGrJUMarHoC&pg=PA105]</ref> They are not known to have been [[satrap]]s nor kings, and their coins only bear their name without any title, therefore they are sometimes simply called "the Mitra rulers of Mathura". Alternatively, they have been dated from 100 BCE to 20 BCE.<ref>On the Cusp of an Era: Art in the Pre-Kuṣāṇa World, Doris Srinivasan BRILL, 2007, p.320 [https://books.google.com/books?id=dCz8NczNbcMC&pg=PA320]</ref> The Mitra dynasty was replaced by the [[Indo-Scythian]] [[Northern Satraps]] from around 60 BCE.

Some sources consider that the Mitra dynasty ruled at a later date, during the 1st or 2nd century CE, and that they ruled from Mathura to [[Saketa]], where they replaced the [[Deva dynasty (Saketa)|Deva dynasty]].<ref name="Kishore">Ayodhya Revisited by Kunal Kishore p.24 [https://books.google.com/books?id=gKKaDAAAQBAJ&pg=PA24]</ref>

In addition to the Mitra dynasties of Saketa ([[Kosala]] kingdom) and Mathura, there were Mitra dynasties in [[Ahichchhatra]] ([[Panchala]] kingdom) and [[Kosambi|Kaushambi]] ([[Vatsa]] kingdom). During the 1st century BCE to 2nd century CE, the [[Mitra dynasty (Kosambi)|Mitras of Kaushambi]] also appear to have extended their hegemony over [[Magadha]] (including [[Pataliputra]]), and possibly [[Kannauj]] as well.<ref name="Bajpai2004">{{cite book|author=K. D. Bajpai|title=Indian Numismatic Studies|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=chGrJUMarHoC&pg=PA39|date=October 2004|publisher=Abhinav Publications|isbn=978-81-7017-035-8|pages=37–39,45}}</ref>

==The dynasty==
Seven rulers of Mathura are known:<ref name="Baipai"/>
* Gomitra
* [[Gomitra|Gomitra II]]
* [[Brahmamitra]]
* Dridhamitra
* Suryamitra
* Vishnumitra
* Satyamitra

These rulers are never mentioned as "Kings" or ''Raja'' on their coins: there is therefore a possibly that they may only have been local rulers and vassals to larger king. Gomitra II and Brahmamitra especially are known for their large number of coins, which is not so much the case for other rulers.<ref name="Baipai"/>

In the archaeological excavations of Sonkh, near Mathura, archaeological levels of the Mitra rulers were identified.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Hartel |first1=Herbert |title=On The Cusp Of An Era Art In The Pre Kuṣāṇa World |date=2007 |publisher=BRILL |pages=[https://archive.org/details/OnTheCuspOfAnEraArtInThePreKuaWorldDMSrinivasanEdBrill_201807/page/n326 320]–326 |url=https://archive.org/details/OnTheCuspOfAnEraArtInThePreKuaWorldDMSrinivasanEdBrill_201807 |language=English}}</ref>

Coins of the Mitra dynasty were found in [[Sonkh]] especially, in layers dated to about 150-50 BCE.<ref name="SRQ9"/> The earliest Mitra coins are those of Gomitra (150-50 BCE).<ref name="SRQ9"/>

==Relation with the Indo-Greeks==
[[File:Menander with elephant.jpg|thumb|Coin of [[Menander I]] with elephant and [[Herakles|Heraklian]] club.]]
From numismatic, literary and epigraphic evidence, it seems that the [[Indo-Greeks]] had control over Mathura at some time, especially during the rule of [[Menander I]] (165–135 BCE).<ref name="Rhie"/> The control of Mathura seems to have continued for some time under the successors of Menander, with [[Strato I]], [[Antimachus]] and [[Apollodotus II]], where they were facing the territory of the [[Sungas]].<ref name="Rhie"/> Coins of Menander and Strato can be found in the area of Mathura, and [[Ptolemy]] records Menander as having ruled as far as Mathura (Μόδουρα) in Book VII, I, 47 of his [[Geography (Ptolemy)|Geographia]].<ref name="Rhie"/> An inscription in Mathura discovered in 1988 mentions "The last day of year 116 of Yavana hegemony (''Yavanarajya'')", also attesting presence of the Indo-Greeks in the 2nd century BCE. The inscription would date to the 116th year of the [[Yavana era]] (thought to start in 186–185 BCE) which would give it a date of 70 or 69 BCE.<ref name="Rhie"/> The [[Yavanarajya inscription]] reads:<ref>Published in "L'Indo-Grec Menandre ou Paul Demieville revisite," Journal Asiatique 281 (1993) p.113</ref>

[[File:Yavanarajya inscription.jpg|thumb|400px|The [[Yavanarajya inscription]], dated to "year 116 of [[Yavana]] [[hegemony]]", probably 70 or 69 BCE. [[Mathura Museum]].]]
{{quote|
On this day, the year one hundred sixteen, 116, of the Yavana kingdom, in the fourth month of winter on the thirtieth day...<br>
[This is] the well and tank of Ahogani, the mother of the merchant Virabala, who was the son of Ghosadatta, a brahmin of the Maitreya clan, with [her] son Virabala, daughter-in-law Bhaguri, and grandsons Suradatta, Rsabhadeva, and Viraddata.<br>
May (their) merit increase|Mathura Yavanarajya inscription.<ref>History of Early Stone Sculpture at Mathura: Ca. 150 BCE - 100 CE, Sonya Rhie Quintanilla, BRILL, 2007, p.255 [https://books.google.com/books?id=X7Cb8IkZVSMC&pg=PA255]</ref>}}

The Indo-Greeks may have been supplanted by [[Indo-Scythians]] around that date, who would then rule in Mathura as the [[Northern Satraps]].<ref name="Rhie"/>

From this time also (circa 150 BCE), archaeological research at Mathura reports an important growth of the city and extensive building of fortifications.<ref name="Rhie"/> Stone sculptures in Mathura are also known from this period onwards, although Indo-Greek artistic influence cannot be readily seen.<ref name="Rhie"/>

Given the suggestions of Greek presence and control concomitantly with the rule of the Mitra dynasty in the same time frame (150–50 BCE), it is therefore thought that there may have been a sort of tributary relationship between the Mitra dynasty and the Indo-Greeks to the west.<ref name="Rhie"/> Numerous coins of Rajuvula have been found in company with the coins of the [[Strato II|Strato]] group in the [[Eastern Punjab]] (to the east of the [[Jhelum]]) and also in the [[Mathura]] area.<ref>Mathurā and Its Society: The ʼSakæ-Pahlava Phase, Bratindra Nath Mukherjee, Firma K.L.M., 1981, p.9</ref>

==Shungas to the east==
[[File:Sunga map.jpg|thumb|It is thought that the [[Shungas]] did not rule in [[Mathura]].]]
The period in which the Mitra dynasty ruled in Mathura roughly corresponds to the [[Hindu]] [[Sunga dynasty]] (180 BCE–80 BCE), however it doesn't seem that the Shungas ruled in Mathura or [[Surasena]] since no Shunga coins or inscriptions have been found there.<ref name="Rhie">History of Early Stone Sculpture at Mathura: Ca. 150 BCE - 100 CE, Sonya Rhie Quintanilla, BRILL, 2007, p.8-10 [https://books.google.com/books?id=X7Cb8IkZVSMC&pg=PA8]</ref>

The Mitra dynasty was replaced by the [[Indo-Scythian]] [[Northern Satraps]] around 60 BCE.

=="Datta" rulers of Mathura==
{{main|Datta dynasty}}
Another dynasty of local rulers, named the "[[Datta dynasty|Datta kings]]" is also known to have ruled in Mathura.<ref name="Rhie 170">History of Early Stone Sculpture at Mathura: Ca. 150 BCE - 100 CE, Sonya Rhie Quintanilla, BRILL, 2007, p.170 [https://books.google.fr/books?id=rtqvCQAAQBAJ&pg=PA170]</ref> These rulers are known as Seshadatta, Ramadatta, Sisuchandradatta and Sivadatta.<ref name="Abbasi">Dimensions of Human Cultures in Central India, A. A. Abbasi, Sarup & Sons, 2001, p.145-146 [https://books.google.com/books?id=jUwFL3IipK0C&pg=PA145]</ref> The coins of Ramadatta usually represent a [[Lakshmi]] standing, and facing elephants.<ref name="Abbasi"/> It is thought that they came just before, and were replaced by the Mitra dynasty.

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Mathura]]
[[Category:Indian royalty]]
[[Category:Dynasties of India]]