Hephthalites in Bactria and the Nezak Huns in the Hindu Kush. The names of the Alchon kings are known from their extensive coinage, Buddhist accounts, and a number of commemorative inscriptions throughout the Indian subcontinent
.
The Alchons have long been considered as a part or a sub-division of the Hephthalites, or as their eastern branch, but now tend to be considered as a separate entity.[1][10][11]
The etymology of "Alchon" is disputed. It is only attested on the script of their coins and seals, where it appears as alkhon(n)o or alkhan(n)o in Bactrian script or lakhāna in Sanskrit.[12] Frantz Grenet, pointing to the Middle Persian apocalyptic book Zand-i Wahman yasn, argued that a name attested there, Karmīr Xyōn ("red Chionites") could represent a translation of Alkhonno, with the first element, al being a Turkic word for red and the second element representing the ethnic name "Hun".[13] An older suggestion, by H. Humbach, also connects the second element to "Hun", but argues that al- comes from the ethnic name Alan.[14]
Hans Bakker argues that the second spelling -khan- makes it unlikely that the term contains the ethnic name "Hun", as the Bactrian word for "Hun" is *uono (plural uonono).[17] Likewise, Khodadad Rezakhani argues that the name Alkhana is attested for a ruler in Western Kashmir, meaning it was probably initially a personal name. [18] Bakker instead argues that the ethnic name has been used as a personal name.[19] Furthermore, the “Red Huns” theory requires that the Alchon spoke a Turkic language, which is highly disputed.[18] Agustí Alemanny similarly disputes Humbach's etymology as relying on insufficient evidence of an Alan-Hun ethnic group.[20]
Because the name "Alchon" is only attested on coins and seals, there is some debate about whether the Alchon were a separate entity from the
Kausambi associated with Toramana, bears the title Hūnarāja ("Huna King"),[24] although the authenticity of this seal is questionable.[25] Toramana is also described as a Huna (Hūṇā) in the Rīsthal inscription.[26][27][28]
The Hunas appear to have been the peoples known in contemporaneous Iranian sources as Xwn, Xiyon and similar names, which were later Romanised as Xionites or Chionites. The Hunas are often linked to the Huns that invaded Europe from Central Asia during the same period. Consequently, the word Hun has three slightly different meanings, depending on the context in which it is used: 1) the Huns of Europe; 2) groups associated with the Huna people who invaded northern India; 3) a vague term for Hun-like people. The Alchon have also been labelled "Huns", with essentially the second meaning, as well as elements of the third.[29][30]
The Alchons are generally recognized by their elongated skull, a result of
Sasanian-type crowns which had been current in the coinage of the region. This practice is also known among other peoples of the steppes, particularly the Huns, and as far as Europe, where it was introduced by the Huns themselves.[31][32]
In another ethnic custom, the Alchons were represented beardless, often wearing a moustache, in clear contrast with the Sasanian Empire prototype which was generally bearded.[33]
The emblematic look of the Alchons seems to have become rather fashionable in the area, as shown by the depiction of the Iranian hero
The Alkhons are initially recorded in the area of Bactria circa 370 CE, from where they confronted the Sasanian Empire to the west and the Kidarites to the southeast.
Chionites (probably of the Kidarites tribe)[44] under their King Grumbates accompanied Shapur II in the war against the Romans, especially at the siege of Amida in 359 CE. Victories of the Xionites during their campaigns in the Eastern Caspian lands were also witnessed and described by Ammianus Marcellinus.[45]
The Alchon Huns occupied Bactria circa 370 CE, chasing the Kidarites in the direction of India, and started minting coins in the style of Shapur II but bearing their name "Alchono".
Invasion of Kabulistan (c.385 CE)
Around 380-385 CE, the Alchons emerged in
Sassanian Persians, while at the same time the Kidarites (Red Huns) ruled in Gandhara.[46] The Alchons are known to have reused the mint and the coin dies of Shapur II south of the Hindu Kush, again simply adding their name "Alchono" to Sasanian coinage.[47] The Alchon Huns are sometimes said to have taken control of Kabul in 388.[46]
Coinage
The Alchon Huns initially issued anonymous coins based on
fire altar, a standard Sasanian design, on the reverse.[48][49] It is thought the Alchons took over the Sasanian mints in Kabulistan after 385 CE, reusing dies of Shapur II and Shapur III, to which they added the name "Alchono".[50]
Gandhara (460 CE)
Khingila
, founder of the Alchon Huns, on one of his coins, c. 430 – 490 CE.
Around 430 King
Sassanian ruler Bahram V.[1] As the Alchons took control, diplomatic missions were established in 457 with China.[52]: 162 Khingila, under the name Shengil, was called "King of India" in the Shahnameh of Ferdowsi.[11]
Alchon ruler Mehama (r.461-493) was elevated to the position of Governor for Sasanian Emperor Peroz I (r. 459–484), and described himself as "King of the people of Kadag and governor of the famous and prosperous King of Kings Peroz" in a 462-463 letter.[53] He allied with Peroz I in his victory over the Kidarites in 466 CE, and may also have helped him take the throne against his brother Hormizd III. But he was later able to wrestle autonomy or even independence.[54]
Between 460 and 470 CE, the Alchons took over
Hephthalite and Alchon aid under Mehama, which put an end to Kidarite rule in Transoxiana once and for all.[56]
The Alchons apparently undertook the mass destruction of Buddhist monasteries and
Mankiala stupa was also vandalized during their invasions.[61]
The rest of the 5th century marks a period of territorial expansion and eponymous kings, several of which appear to have overlapped and ruled jointly.[62][Note 1] The Alchon Huns invaded parts of northwestern India from the second half of the 5th century.[63] According to the Bhitari pillar inscription, the Gupta ruler Skandagupta already confronted and defeated an unnamed Huna ruler c. 456-457 CE.[63]
From circa 480 CE, there are also suggestion of Hunnic occupation of
tamgha to the design.[64] These little-known coins are usually described as the result of the invasions of the "Hephthalites".[64] The quality of the coins also becomes very much degraded by that time, and the actual gold content becomes quite low compared to the previous Sasanian-style coinage.[65]
Contributions
The Hūṇas were precisely ruling the area of
Vakataka Empire.[66][67] Through their control of vast areas of northwestern India, the Huns may actually have acted as a cultural bridge between the area of Gandhara and the Western Deccan, at the time when the Ajanta or Pitalkhora caves were being decorated with designs of Gandharan inspiration, such as Buddhas dressed in robes with abundant folds.[68]
First Hunnic War: Central India
Kausambi
Kausambi was probably destroyed by the Alchon Huns under Toramana.[24]
"Hūna Rāja" Toramana seal impression, Kausambi[69]
In the First Hunnic War (496–515),
Kausambi, where seals with Toramana's name were found, was probably sacked by the Alkhons in 497–500, before they moved to occupy Malwa.[70][72][73]: 70 [74] In particular, it is thought that the monastery of Ghoshitarama in Kausambi was destroyed by Toramana, as several of his seals were found there, one of them bearing the name Toramana impressed over the official seal of the monastery, and the other bearing the title Hūnarāja ("King of the Huns"), together with debris and arrowheads.[24] Another seal, this time by Mihirakula, is reported from Kausambi.[24] These territories may have been taken from Gupta Emperor Budhagupta.[73]: 79 Alternatively, they may have been captured during the rule of his successor Narasimhagupta.[75]
First Battle of Eran (510 CE)
A decisive battle occurred in Malwa, where a local Gupta ruler, probably a governor, named Bhanugupta was in charge. In the BhanuguptaEran inscription, this local ruler reports that his army participated in a great battle in 510 CE at Eran, where it suffered severe casualties.[75] Bhanugupta was probably vanquished by Toramana at this battle, so that the western Gupta province of Malwa fell into the hands of the Hunas.[75]
A rare gold coin of Toramana in the style of the Guptas. The obverse legend reads: "The lord of the Earth, Toramana, having conquered the Earth, wins Heaven".[80][81]
Having conquered the territory of Malwa from the Guptas, Toramana was mentioned in a famous inscription in Eran, confirming his rule on the region.[75] The Eran boar inscription of Toramana (in Eran, Malwa, 540 km south of New Delhi, state of Madhya Pradesh) of his first regnal year indicates that eastern Malwa was included in his dominion. The inscription is written under the neck of the boar, in 8 lines of Sanskrit in the Brahmi script. The first line of the inscription, in which Toramana is introduced as Mahararajadhidaja (The Great King of Kings),[73]: 79 reads:
In year one of the reign of the King of Kings Sri-Toramana, who rules the world with splendor and radiance...
The fact that the Alchon Huns issued gold coins, such as the Toramana issue, in addition to their silver and copper coins, suggest that their empire in India was quite rich and powerful.[82]
Defeat (515 CE)
Toramana was finally defeated by local Indian rulers. The local ruler
Manjusri-mula-kalpa, that Bhanugupta was, on the contrary, vanquished by Toramana at the 510 CE Eran battle, so that the western Gupta province of Malwa fell into the hands of the Hunas at that point,[75] so that Toramana could be mentioned in the Eran boar inscription, as the ruler of the region.[75]
Toramana was finally vanquished with certainty by an Indian ruler of the
Benares as he was returning westward from his battles with Narasimhagupta.[75]
Second Hunnic War: to Malwa and retreat
Yasodharman
.
The Second Hunnic War started in 520, when the Alchon king Mihirakula, son of Toramana, is recorded in his military encampment on the borders of the Jhelum by Chinese monk Song Yun. At the head of the Alchon, Mihirakula is then recorded in Gwalior, Central India as "Lord of the Earth" in the Gwalior inscription of Mihirakula.[70] According to some accounts, Mihirakula invaded India as far as the Gupta capital Pataliputra, which was sacked and left in ruins.[87][73]: 64
There was a king called Mo-hi-lo-kiu-lo (Mihirakula), who established his authority in this town (Sagala) and ruled over India. He was of quick talent, and naturally brave. He subdued all the neighbouring provinces without exception.
— Xuanzang "The Record of the Western Regions", 7th century CE[88]
The destructions of Mihirakula are also recorded in the Rajatarangini:[11]
Mihirakula, a man of violent acts and resembling
Mlecchas... the people knew his approach by noticing the vultures, crows, and other [birds], which were flying ahead to feed on those who were being slain within his army's [reach]
He (Yasodharman) to whose two feet respect was paid, with complimentary presents of the flowers from the lock of hair on the top of (his) head, by even that (famous) king
Narasimhagupta Baladitya) took refuge, but that was finally captured by the Indian king. He later spared Mihirakula's life on the intercession of his mother, as she perceived the Hun ruler "as a man of remarkable beauty and vast wisdom".[97] Mihirakula is then said to have returned to Kashmir to retake the throne.[98][52]: 168 This ended the Second Hunnic War in c. 534, after an occupation which lasted nearly 15 years.[70]
Victories of the Maukharis
According to the
Ādityasena mentions the military successes of kings of the Later Gupta dynasty against the Maukharis, and explains that the Maukharis were past victors of the Hunas:[99]
Dâmôdara. Breaking up the proudly stepping array of mighty elephants, belonging to the Maukhari, which had thrown aloft in battle the troops of the Hûnas (in order to trample them to death), he became unconscious (and expired in the fight)."
The Maukharis led by their king Ishanavarman, rather than any of the Guptas, were therefore pivotal in repelling the Hunas.[101]
Retreat to Gandhara and Kashmir (530 CE)
Coinage of Sri Pravarasena, successor of Mihirakula, and supposed founder of Srinagar. Obverse: Standing king with two figured seated below. Name "Pravarasena". Reverse: goddess seated on a lion. Legend "Kidāra". Circa 6th-early 7th century CE
The Alchon Huns resettled in the area of Gandhara and Kashmir in northwestern India under the rule of Sri Pravarasena (c.530-590 CE), thought to be the son of Toramana.[102] His reign probably lasted about 60 years from circa 530 CE.[102][103] According to Kalhana's 12th century text Rajatarangini, Pravarasena established a new capital named Pravarapura (also known as Pravarasena-pura). Based on topographical details, Pravarapura appears to be same as the modern city of Srinagar.[104][102] He also built a temple named "Pravaresha".[102][103]
Pravarasena was probably succeeded by a king named
Gonanda dynasty (II), have been confirmed by coin finds in Kashmir and dated to the 7th century CE. They were "very likely" descendants of the Alchon Huns in the Kashmir area.[109]
Retreat to Kabulistan and displacement of the Nezak Huns
Around the end of the 6th century CE, the Alchons withdrew to
Khyber pass where they resettled in Kabulistan under the leadership of Toramana II.[110] There, their coinage suggests that they merged with the Nezak – as coins in Nezak style now bear the Alchon tamga mark.[111][78]
Alchon tamga within double border on the reverse.[111]
During the 7th century, continued military encounters are reported between the Hunas and the northern Indian states which followed the disappearance of the Gupta Empire. For example,
Alchon devotee, Butkara I (construction phase 4), 5th century CE.[115]
The four Alchon kings
Khingila, Toramana, Javukha, and Mehama are mentioned as donors to a Buddhist stupa in the Talagan copper scroll inscription dated to 492 or 493 CE, that is, at a time before the Hunnic wars in India started. This corresponds to a time when the Alchons had recently taken control of Taxila (around 460 CE), at the center of the Buddhist regions of northwestern India.[115] Numerous Alchon coins were found in the dedication compartment of the "Tope Kalān" stupa in Hadda.[116]
Mural with paintings of probable Alchon devotees can be seen in the Buddhist complex of the Butkara Stupa (Butkara I, construction phase 4). Dated to the 5th century CE, they suggest that the Alchon Huns may have been participants to the local Buddhist culture.[117]
Persecution of Buddhism
Later, however, the attitude of the Alchons towards Buddhism is reported to have been negative. Mihirakula in particular is remembered by
Buddhist sources to have been a "terrible persecutor of their religion" in Gandhara in northern (modern day) Pakistan.[118] During his reign, over one thousand Buddhist monasteries throughout Gandhara are said to have been destroyed.[119] In particular, the writings of Chinese monk Xuanzang from 630 CE explained that Mihirakula ordered the destruction of Buddhism and the expulsion of monks.[52]: 162 Indeed, the Buddhist art of Gandhara, in particular Greco-Buddhist art, becomes essentially extinct around that period. When Xuanzang visited northwestern India in c. 630 CE, he reported that Buddhism had drastically declined, and that most of the monasteries were deserted and left in ruins.[120]
Although the Guptas were traditionally a
Dhyana).[121] Xuanzang also noted that Narasimhagupta Baladitya's son Vajra, who also commissioned a sangharama, "possessed a heart firm in faith".[122]: 45 [123]
: 330
The 12th century Kashmiri historian Kalhana also painted a dreary picture of Mihirakula's cruelty, as well as his persecution of the Buddhist faith:
Solar symbolism
Khingila with solar symbol.
Alchon king with small male figure wearing solar nimbus
.
In him, the northern region brought forth, as it were, another god of death, bent in rivalry to surpass... Yama (the god of death residing in the southern regions). People knew of his approach by noticing the vultures, crows and other birds flying ahead eager to feed on those who were being slain within his army's reach. The royal Vetala (demon) was day and night surrounded by thousands of murdered human beings, even in his pleasure houses. This terrible enemy of mankind had no pity for children, no compassion for women, no respect for the aged
The Alchons are generally described as sun worshipers, a traditional cult of
steppe nomads. This stems from the appearance of sun symbols on some of their coins, combined with the probable influence they received from the worship of Surya in India.[124]
Mihirakula is also said to have been an ardent worshiper of Shiva,[127][128] although he may have been selectively attracted to the destructive powers of the Indian deity.[97]
The Alchon invasions, although only spanning a few decades, had long term effects on India, and in a sense brought an end to the middle kingdoms of India.[97]
Vardhanas, all in a constant flux of rivalry.[132] With the end of Hunnic power, some India polities, such as the Maukhari dynasty were able to establish direct contacts with Central Asia and the Sasanian Empire: the Maukhari King Śarvavarman of Kannauj is said to have introduced the game of chess to the Sasanian court of Khosrow I, between the beginning of Śarvavarman's reign in 560/565 and the end of Khosrow's reign in 579.[135][136]
Rise of Saivism
Saivism instead, as did the Alchon Huns under Mihirakula, giving a strong impetus to the development of the worship of Shiva, and its ideology of power.[1] Vaisnavism only remained strong in the territories which had not been affected by these events: South India and Kashmir.[1]
International trade
The Huna invasions are said to have seriously damaged India's trade with
Benares. The Huna invasion probably disrupted these trade relations and the tax revenues that came with them.[137]
During their rule of 60 years, the Alchons are said to have altered the hierarchy of ruling families and the Indian
Artistic syncretism: "A Nomadic Interlude in Indian Art"
Fragment of a lid with a hunting scene, Gandhara, 5-6th century CE.[139]
The advances of the Alchon Huns in India seems to have fostered a type of syncretic art in Gandhara during the 5th-6th century, mixing Gupta art with Sasanian and Hunish inspiration and themes.[140] Particularly significant are a type of decorated lids from Gandhara which display courtly or hunting scenes, mixing them with Gupta decorative designs.[140]
Lid with Combat between a Man and a Lion. Cleveland Museum of Art.[141]
Box Lid with a Winged Lion, Gandhara, 5th century CE
Box Lid with a Lion Attacking an Elephant, Gandhara, 5th century CE.[142]
Box Lid with a Phoenix, Gandhara, 5th century CE.[143]
The Chilek silver bowl
Chilek bowl
, with an Alchon Hun ruler in the central medallion, surrounded by naked Indian-style dancers.
The man in the medallion at the bottom of the Chilek bowl has a clearly elongated skull, characteristic of the Alchons Huns at that time and place.[147]
Ancient sources refer to the Alchons and associated groups ambiguously with various names, such as Huna in Indian texts, and Xionites in Greek texts. Xuanzang chronicled some of the later history of the Alchons.[96]
Modern archeology has provided valuable insights into the history of the Alchons. The most significant cataloguing of the Alchon dynasty came in 1967 with Robert Göbl's analysis of the coinage of the "
Second Afghan Civil War, redefining the timeline and narrative of the Alchons and related peoples.[113]
A significant contribution to our understanding of Alchon history came in 2006 when Gudrun Melzer and Lore Sander published their finding of the "Talagan copper scroll", also known as the "Schøyen Copper Scroll", dated to 492 or 493, that mentions the four Alchon kings Khingila, Toramana, Javukha, and Mehama (who was reigning at the time) as donors to a Buddhist reliquary stupa.[153][Note 4][Note 5]
The rulers of the Alchons practiced skull deformation, as evidenced from their coins, a practice shared with the Huns that migrated into Europe. The names of the first Alchon rulers do not survive. Starting from 430 CE, names of Alchon kings survive on coins[152] and religious inscriptions:[153]
An early Alchon Huns coin based on a Sasanian design, with bust imitating Sasanian king Shapur III. Only the legend "Alchono" appears on the obverse in the Greco-Bactrian script.[37][48][154]
Later Alchon coinage became original and differed from predecessors in that it was devoid of Iranian (Sasanian) symbolism.[46] The rulers are depicted with elongated skulls, apparently a result of artificial cranial deformation.[46]
After their invasion of India the coins of the Alchon were numerous and varied, as they issued copper, silver and gold coins, sometimes roughly following the Gupta pattern. The Alchon empire in India must have been quite significant and rich, with the ability to issue a significant volume of gold coins.[155]
Coinage
Silver coin of
Brahmi legend on the reverse. Similar to the silver coin type of Skandagupta. On the obverse the date "52" is also inscribed.[156] A modern Image:[1]
^"The earth betook itself (for succour), when it was afflicted by kings of the present age, who manifested pride; who were cruel through want of proper training; who,from delusion, transgressed the path of good conduct; (and) who were destitute of virtuous delights " from "Sondhni pillars: where Punjabis met with their Waterloo 1500 years ago". Punjab Monitor. Amritsar: Bhai Nand Lal Foundation. 27 April 2013. Retrieved 8 July 2018.
^"Note 8: It is now clear that the Hephtalites were not part of those Huns who conquered the land south of the Hindu-Kush and Sind as well in the early 6th century. In fact, this latter Hunnic group was the one commonly known as Alkhon because of the inscriptions on their coins (Vondrovec, 2008)."
^"It is possible that the Sogdian aristocratic culture of that time preserved some memory of the glorious days of Khingila, the first Hephthalite conqueror of India. The profile of Rustam, shown on different paintings at Pendzhikent, is very distinct from the other depictions in the Sogdian art, and resembles the Hephthalite prototypes. The portraits feature narrow skulls, V-shaped eyebrows, hooked noses and heavy jaws, and thus closely resemble some portraits of Khingila on the coins(Grenet 2002, 218-219)." Kurbanov, Aydogdy (2014). "THE HEPHTHALITES: ICONOGRAPHICAL MATERIALS"(PDF). Tyragetia: 317–334.
^The "h" () is an early variant of the Gupta script.
^The "h" () is an early variant of the Gupta script. Rev: Dotted border around Fire altar flanked by attendants, a design adopted from Sasanian coinage.
. Before the Karkotas came to the throne, Kashmir may have been occupied by a long succession of foreign rulers or tribes. Certainly both the Kushänas and the Huns were present in the area for centuries. Indeed, the history of Kashmir begins to take shape only with the foundation of the Karkota dynasty around AD 625. The immediate predecessors of the Karkotas appear to have been Huns...
. But the name of Toramana is found on a species of Kashmir copper coins of which remarkably large quantities have been preserved to this day . The connection of this coinage with Kalhana's notice cannot be doubted.
^Cribb, Joe (1 April 2017). "Early Medieval Kashmir Coinage – A New Hoard and An Anomaly". Numismatic Digest. 40: 99. It seems very likely therefore that the rulers of Kashmir at this period were descendants of the Hun kings who ruled large parts of northwestern India from the mid-4th to the 6th century"
^"He is credited with the building of the temple named Jyeshteswara on the Gopa (Sankaracharya) hill in Srinagar" in Bamzai, Prithivi Nath Kaul (1980). Kashmir and Central Asia. Light & Life Publishers. p. 63.
element. The Gurjara Pratiharas who were likely created from a fusion of White Hunnic and native Indian elements, ruled a vast Empire in northern India, and they also halted Arab Muslim expansion in India through Sind for centuries.
Hūṇā) in the Rīsthal inscription.[26][27][28]
.[31]
,[90] (Ja)yatu Mihirakula ("Let there be victory to Mihirakula").[91][92][93][94]
,_5th_century_CE.jpg)
![Lid with Combat between a Man and a Lion. Cleveland Museum of Art.[141]](//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/39/Lid_with_Combat_between_a_Man_and_a_Lion._Cleveland_Museum_of_Art.jpg/120px-Lid_with_Combat_between_a_Man_and_a_Lion._Cleveland_Museum_of_Art.jpg)
Lid with Combat between a Man and a Lion. Cleveland Museum of Art.[141]
Box Lid with a Winged Lion, Gandhara, 5th century CE![Box Lid with a Lion Attacking an Elephant, Gandhara, 5th century CE.[142]](//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/cc/Box_Lid_with_a_Lion_Attacking_an_Elephant%2C_Gandhara%2C_5th_century_CE.jpg/120px-Box_Lid_with_a_Lion_Attacking_an_Elephant%2C_Gandhara%2C_5th_century_CE.jpg)
Box Lid with a Lion Attacking an Elephant, Gandhara, 5th century CE.[142]![Box Lid with a Phoenix, Gandhara, 5th century CE.[143]](//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/59/Box_Lid_with_a_Phoenix%2C_Gandhara%2C_5th_century_CE.jpg/120px-Box_Lid_with_a_Phoenix%2C_Gandhara%2C_5th_century_CE.jpg)
Box Lid with a Phoenix, Gandhara, 5th century CE.[143]![Lid with Combat between a Man and a Lion. Cleveland Museum of Art.[141]](/File:Lid_with_Combat_between_a_Man_and_a_Lion._Cleveland_Museum_of_Art.jpg)
![Box Lid with a Lion Attacking an Elephant, Gandhara, 5th century CE.[142]](/File:Box_Lid_with_a_Lion_Attacking_an_Elephant,_Gandhara,_5th_century_CE.jpg)
![Box Lid with a Phoenix, Gandhara, 5th century CE.[143]](/File:Box_Lid_with_a_Phoenix,_Gandhara,_5th_century_CE.jpg)
![Silver coin of Toramana in Western Gupta style, with the Gupta peacock and Brahmi legend on the reverse. Similar to the silver coin type of Skandagupta. On the obverse the date "52" is also inscribed.[156] A modern Image:[1].](//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/a8/Toramana_coin_in_Western_Gupta_style.jpg/120px-Toramana_coin_in_Western_Gupta_style.jpg)
Silver coin ofBrahmi legend on the reverse. Similar to the silver coin type of Skandagupta. On the obverse the date "52" is also inscribed.[156] A modern Image:[1].
AlchonTamghasymbol on a coin of Khingila.![Khingila with the word "Alchono" in Bactrian script (αλχονο) and the Tamgha symbol on his coins.[157][158]](//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/98/Khingila_Alchono_inscription.jpg/109px-Khingila_Alchono_inscription.jpg)
![Silver drachm of Khingila (early portrait) without headdress, mid-late 5th century.[Note 6]](//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/6d/Khingila_of_the_Alchon_Huns_Circa_440-490_CE.jpg/120px-Khingila_of_the_Alchon_Huns_Circa_440-490_CE.jpg)
Silver drachm ofKhingila (early portrait) without headdress, mid-late 5th century.[Note 6]![Silver drachm of Khingila (mature portrait), Bactrian legend: χιγγιλο αλχοννο "Khiggilo Alchono".[Note 7]](//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/2b/HunCoinDerivedFromSassanianDesign5thCE.JPG/120px-HunCoinDerivedFromSassanianDesign5thCE.JPG)
Silver drachm of Khingila (mature portrait),Bactrian legend: χιγγιλο αλχοννο "Khiggilo Alchono".[Note 7]
Silver drachm of Javukha, mid-late 5th century.
Silver drachm of Mehama legend: “ṣāhi mehama", mid-late 5th century.
Silver drachm of Lakhana, late 5th-early 6th centuries.
Gold dinar of Adomano,Kushano-Sasanianstyle, mid-late 5th century.
Silver drachm of Mihirakula, early-mid 6th century.
Bronze drachm of Toramana II wearing trident crown, late-phase Gandharan style. mid 6th century.
Silver stater of Toramana II, Kashmir style, mid-late 6th century.
Bronze drachm of Narana-Narenda (possibly Toramana II) wearing trident crown, late 6th century.
Khingila as a young king, without headdress. Artificial cranial deformation clearly visible.
.![Silver coin of Toramana in Western Gupta style, with the Gupta peacock and Brahmi legend on the reverse. Similar to the silver coin type of Skandagupta. On the obverse the date "52" is also inscribed.[156] A modern Image:[1].](/File:Toramana_coin_in_Western_Gupta_style.jpg)
![Khingila with the word "Alchono" in Bactrian script (αλχονο) and the Tamgha symbol on his coins.[157][158]](/File:Khingila_Alchono_inscription.jpg)
![Silver drachm of Khingila (early portrait) without headdress, mid-late 5th century.[Note 6]](/File:Khingila_of_the_Alchon_Huns_Circa_440-490_CE.jpg)
![Silver drachm of Khingila (mature portrait), Bactrian legend: χιγγιλο αλχοννο "Khiggilo Alchono".[Note 7]](/File:HunCoinDerivedFromSassanianDesign5thCE.JPG)
) is an early variant of the Gupta script.
![[1]](http://coinindia.com/H119-BM.jpg){kind=link}
Media related to Alchon Huns at Wikimedia Commons