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Agra’s Coins
Monu Bhankar
M.Phil Scholar, Dept.of A.I.H
Kurukshetra University Kurukshetra.
Email id: monutosham333@gmail.com
Mob.no: 9050998734
Abstract
Haryana came into existence as a new state of the union of India on November 1, 1966, when it
was carved out of Punjab. It is located in the northwestern part of India and bordered by Uttar
Pradesh and Delhi in east Punjab in the northeast, Himachal Pradesh in the north and the
Rajasthan in the south-west. Haryana as a geographical entity, as since there immemorial
enjoyed prominence on account of its strategic position. Without understanding the detail of
geopolitical conditions and its proper historical perspective of the region which now has come to
be known as Haryana state it will not be sufficient to study the socio-economic conditions of the
areas, because these conditions are always influenced by the various –geopolitical factors such as
boundaries, rivers, soil, climate and various historical events which have a direct bearing on the
lives on the people. Haryana has been a witness to many significant events in history ranging
from the early Harappan to later Mughal Periods that determined the shape of things not only for
the people of the state but the whole of India. Thus the state of Haryana has a significant place in
the cultural history of India.
The Prakrit form of “Agroda” or “Agrodaka” is Agodaka which is identified by many scholars
with modern Agroha, 13 miles north-west of Hissar. Excavation,9
conducted at Agroha, he has
given valuable evidence in the shape of coins. The antiquity of Agroha is not only vouchsafed
only by coins but Archeologist finds of Pottery, Terracotta, Copper objects, Fragments of Stone
Sculptures, Plaques, Seals etc. It might have continued a centre of activity at least throughout the
Modernperiod.
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Introduction
4.1 ORIGIN OF AGRAS:
A tribe names Agra on the assumption that Agastya is equivalent to Agacha which means
“People of Agra”. The name of the Janapada, the coin legend show, was Agra country. Agra was
the name of the tribe as well. The Earliest reference to this tribe is found in the Ashtadhyayi of
Panini, who may be placed in the fifth century B.C.1
‘Agrodaka’2
name which is found in the Prakrit form as Agodaka on the coins attributed to the
Agras, is also mentioned in the ‘Mahamayuri’. The Chandragamin (5th A.D.) refers to the Agras.
Agroha which became significant during the time of the Alexander’s invasion.3
There are
several indications that Agrodaka, Agodaka, Aggalapura, Agara, and Anallassoi would have
been known by various names and inhabited by a powerful people having an army of 48000 foot
and 3000 horse.
Panna Lal4
in his presidential address to the proceedings of the numismatic society of India ,
However, takes the component, “Agra” as the name of tribe from which the name of place
Agrodaka is derived and thinks that the present day Agarwals who regard Agroha as their
original name, are the decadents of the Agra tribe .
P .L Gupta5
tries to show that “Agra” as the name of the tribe occurs in Panini. But the word
occurring there is ‘Agrayana’ not ‘Agra’. Also, think about that the existence of the ruin of a big
tank Agroha with a traditional story supports its ancient name Agrodaka.
1
Shashtri Shama R, op.cit, p.142
2
. Barnett L.D article in Bsoas, X,p.277f.
3
Elliot and Dowson, history of india, III, p.245-47.
4
See JNSI, IV, p.52 Also EBSGP, p.p.124,158,163,168
5
Bajpai santosh kumar;Itihasika bharatia sikke, p.p.60.
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L.D. Barnett6
derives the name ‘Aggala’ from (Agga) and believes that Aggalapura signifies the
town of Angeles and that here Aggala is synonymous with Aggacha Janapada. Moreover, he
identifies the ‘Aggalas’ with ‘Agalasseis’ who, according to the Diodorus, was a Panjab7
tribe
and dwelt in the neighborhood of the sibio I. e. the (Sibis) of the Jhang District and who,
according to curves, had a great fight with Alexander’s army.
Allan suggests8
that Agodaka or Ahgodraka may represent another climate for the identification
with oxydrakai of the Greeks.
The Prakrit form of “Agroda” or “Agrodaka” is Agodaka which is identified by many scholars
with modern Agroha, 13 miles north-west of Hissar. Excavation,9
conducted at Agroha, he has
given valuable evidence in the shape of coins. The antiquity of Agroha is not only vouchsafed
only by coins but Archeologist finds of Pottery, Terracotta, Copper objects, Fragments of Stone
Sculptures, Plaques, Seals etc. It might have continued a centre of activity at least throughout the
Modern period.
4.2 AGRA’S COINS:
After Alexander’s10 Invasion of India the State including Agacha Janapada might have
acknowledged the power of Mauryas, but soon about 200 B.C, (To words) the fall of the
Mauryas, they again became independent.11 Their coins bearing the legend “Agodaka”
“Agacha” Janapadasya discovered from Agroha, Barwala and Hansi clearly indicate that these
people ruled over Hissar and the territory around, with its capital at Agroha 24 km west of
Hissar.12
6
Barnett,l.d. iv. P.108.
7
Journal of numismatics society of india, vol.XI p.32.
8
Allan classifies different names. Catalogue of the coins of ancient India.p.165
9
Hisar gazetter.
10 Allan, john: Indian coins in the british museum, ancient india, p.160-168.
11Roy.PC. The Coinage of ancient india.CCIM, p.206, pl. XXIII,12.
12 Haryana (state), hisar, bhiwani, gazetteer
