The coinage of Abhiraka is similar to the coinage of
Bhumaka, except it has on the obverse a winged
Nike with Greek legend 'CATRAPATOY CATRAΠOY AYBIPAKOY" ("Abhiraka, Satrap of the Satraps"). The reverse, with a lion or a horse facing a wheel, with Brahmi or Kharoshthi legend, is identical in design. Photograph from the
Indian Institute for Research in Numismatic Studies.[1]
Abhiraka (Greek: AYBIPAKOY,
Brahmi: 𑀅𑀪𑀺𑀭𑀓 Abhiraka), also Aubheraka, Aubhirakes, or formerly Aghudaka, was an Abhira King and a member of the Kshaharata dynasty of the
Western Satraps circa 30 CE. He was the father of
Bhumaka, and the grandfather of
Nahapana.[2][3][4][5][6]
He is known through his coins, which are found in the northern Pakistan area of
Chukhsa, and then later in the south, suggesting a southern migration at some point, possibly in search for trade. His coins have been found in
Afghanistan and as far as
Arab states of the Persian Gulf.[7][6] The coinage, reminiscent of the coinage of the
Indo-Greeks, has on the obverse a winged
Nike with Greek legend "CATRAPATOY CATRAΠOY AYBIPAKOY" ("Abhiraka, Satrap of the Satraps"), and the reverse shows a lion or a horse facing a wheel, with Brahmi or Kharoshthi legend around Khaharatasa Khatrapasa Abhirakasa jayatasa Abhirakasa" ("The Khsaharata Satrap Abhiraka, victory to Abhiraka").[1]
"Abhiraka" may also mean "member of the tribe of the
Abhiras",[8] and a connection between "Abhiraka" and the tribe of the Abhiras has also been proposed.[9]
^Salomon, Richard; Willis, Michael; Cribb, Joe; Shaw, Julia (2004).
Buddhist Reliquaries from Ancient India. p. 39. Page 39: "Western Satraps: A convenient and useful point of entry for a discussion of chronology is provided by the coin finds and hoards which show that there were two series of rulers who called themselves or (satrap or great satrap). One series consisted of three rulers: Aubheraka, Bhumaka and Nahapana (fig. 16).2 They used the family name Khshaharta" Date on page 44. Name "Aghudaka" on page 51, note 2