04/03/2020- ANCIENT INDIAN COINS- MAHAJANAPADAS- 10.Asmaka Mahajanapada

ഇന്നത്തെ പഠനം
അവതരണം	Augustine Stephen D'souza
വിഷയം	ANCIENT INDIAN COINS
ലക്കം	60

16 MAHAJANAPADAS
10. Asmaka Mahajanapada

Asaka, Asmaka or Ashmaka Mahajanapada was located on the banks of Godavari river, between the rivers of Godavari and Manjira. It was the only Mahajanapada situated to the south of the Vindhya Range, and was in the region commonly referred to as Dakshina - Patha. It corresponds to the districts Nizamabad and parts of Adilabad in Telungana and Nanded, Yavatmal in Maharashtra states in present - day India. The capital is variously called Potali or Podana, present - day Bodhan in Maharashtra. Asmaka is derived from the Sanskrit word "Ashma" which means Stone or Gem, in fact one finds thousands of hillocks and stones in this region and thus it is aptly called Ashmaka (stony region).

The coins  bear 4 punches, closely resembles issue of the neighbouring Andhra/Vidharbha janapada, weighs approximately 1.5 g (1/2 Karshapana Standard) and date to 500 - 350 BC. 

They are found mostly in Godavari Valley.