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The monograph aims at highlighting the significant role played by the family of the Apracha kings in ancient Indian history, and at connecting this family of the Apracha kings with the Asvaka tribe. The work is divided into six chapters. Chapter one deals with the history of the family of the Apracha kings. The members of this family acted as subordinate rulers and strategoi, first under the Indo Greeks and subsequently under the Saka-Pahlavas, till finally Sasan was able to establish himself as an independent ruler after the death of his overlord, Gondopharnes. In chapter II are detailed the coins issued by the members of this family. Chapter III deals with the antiquity and habitat of the Asvaka tribe. In chapter IV, various aspects of the coins of the Asvakas have been discussed. Chapter V is the proposition to connect the family of the Apracha kings with the Asvaka tribe. Chapter VI is concerned with the sociopolitical and religious milieu. Then follow three appendices. In appendix I, the case for the existence of two kings named Azes has been pleaded. Appendix II deals with the date of Gondopharnes.
In appendix III, some important inscriptions of the family of the Apracha kings have been dealt with. This is followed by a bibliography. In this endeavour epigraphic and numismatic sources have been of immense help. Besides, literary and archaeological data have also been amply utilized in this study, wherever relevant.
About the Author:
Dr. Prashant Srivastava (BA Hons., MA, Ph.D, D.Litt), is Reader in ancient Indian History and Archaeology, University of Lucknow. His publications include Joint coin-types of Ancient India (published by the Numismatic Society of India 1990), aspects of Ancient Indian Numismatics (1996), coins of ancient India (1998), two dozen research papers, and a like number of popular articles on ancient Indian history. He has also written The Story of Early Indian Coins (1999) for children, and contributed 10 chapters in Select Battles in Indian History (2003) edited by Professors K.K. Thaplyal and S.N. Misra.
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