Part IV: Alxon Seals and Plaques

S1. An Alxon Trident Seal AE

Additionally, the Kashmir Smast hoard has yielded a number of seals. The above bears the name:

Sri Randrokshi

This name has not been encountered before in any Hunnic literature. Given the fineness of execution and the use of Brahmi calligraphic script, we can assume that this belonged to either a member of the royal family or to Hunnic aristocracy.

The trident or trishula, a symbol of Lord Shiva, is the second most important emblem of Shaivites after nandi. It signifies the three fundamental shaktis or powers - icha

(desire, will, love), kriya (action) and jnana (wisdom). It features on numerous Hunnic coins, generally those of Mihirakula or of the later Alxon period.

S2. Clay

Swat/Bunair

4.9x3.8(object), 2.5x1.85(seal impression)

S3. Clay

Shah Pur/Sargodha

2.4mm(object), 1.8mm(seal impression)

S4. Clay

Taxila

2.1x2.3(clay), 1.6x1.3(seal impression)

In addition, I have acquired two Alxon period plaques from Swat / Mardan. The exact provenance is unknown.

P1. AE

3.63 g. / 3.69 mm.

The bracteate AE plaque portrays a beardless bust facing with long hair and long earrings, with Turkic features.

P2. AE

5.38 g. / 38.0 mm.

The authenticity of the above bracteate has been called into question by some numismatists. Its features a ¾ facing beardless Turkic bust wearing a turreted crown. A Lunar Bull tamgha is to the right, and to the left, a pomegranate. The legend is not decipherable. Two varieties of this type had been found in Mardan in 2000, the other identical but approximately 20 mm. in diameter.

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