[Solved] Kartikeya on Yaudheya Coins: Warrior Tribe Symbols

Which God is found depicted on Yaudheya coins?

[U.P.P.C.S. (Spl) (Mains) 2008]

Detailed Solution & Historical Context

Concept

Coins issued by autonomous tribes like the Yaudheyas often depicted their Iṣṭadevatā (preferred deity) to signify both their religious identity and their martial prowess.

Authentic Source Evidence

Yaudheya coins predominantly feature Kartikeya (Skanda), the god of war. As a warrior tribe situated in the Southeast Punjab and Rajasthan regions, they revered Kartikeya as their tutelary deity.

Analytical Breakdown

Logic 1: The coins often show Kartikeya holding a spear, symbolizing the tribe’s martial nature.

Logic 2: The inscriptions are typically in Brahmi script, asserting the tribe's autonomy after the decline of the Mauryas and during the Kushan period.

Logic 3: While Shiva (Kartikeya's father) and Vasudeva appear on other contemporary coins, Kartikeya is the unique hallmark of the Yaudheyas.

Conceptual Deep Dive & Logic

"Where were the Yaudheya tribes primarily located?"

They were warrior tribes inhabiting the regions that comprise modern-day Southeast Punjab and Haryana.

Examiner's Mindset & Pro-Tip

"The depiction of Kartikeya on tribal coinage illustrates how religious symbols were used to galvanize the identity of independent republican tribes against imperial powers."

Topic Clusters (click to see related topic questions)

Brahmi Script 17