King Mahendra of Allahabad Prasasti

Summary

King Mahendra of Allahabad Prasasti investigates the identity of ‘Mahendra’ mentioned among the southern rulers defeated by Samudragupta in the Allahabad Pillar inscription. P. L. Misra surveys archaeological and numismatic evidence to argue that this ruler should be identified with Mahendraditya of the Nala dynasty of South Kosala. The paper reviews epigraphic sources on the Nalas and notes the absence of a king named Mahendra. Recent finds of gold coins inscribed ‘Mahendraditya’, featuring Garuda, crescent moon, cakra and sun symbols, are examined in detail. Their weight, legend and iconography differ from Gupta coins and resemble Sarabhapuriyan issues, suggesting a local origin. The author dismisses earlier attributions of the coins to Kumaragupta and emphasises that Mahendraditya’s adoption of the epithet ‘Aditya’ predates its use by the Guptas. By comparing the chronological clues in the Allahabad inscription with the coin hoards, Misra dates Mahendra’s reign to around 330 CE and argues that he continued to rule after his defeat by Samudragupta, possibly under Gupta suzerainty. The paper discusses the religious implication of the coins: although earlier Nala kings were Saiva and used the bull symbol, Mahendra’s coins adopt Vishnu’s Garuda, which the author interprets as evidence of Vaishnava leanings influenced by Gupta overlordship. Through careful synthesis of inscriptions, Purāṇa genealogies and numismatics, the article situates Mahendraditya within the broader political landscape of early fourth‑century India.