A History of the World in 100 Objects Gold coin of Kumaragupta I
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Jun 1, 2010 Explore the reimagining of divine beings in various religions through the creation of new human forms. Dive into the Gupta dynasty's influential role in shaping Hinduism and their commissioning of temples and Hindu god images. Discover the religious practices of Khumra Gupta I through examination of two coins, depicting a ritual and promotion of Hinduism. Delve into the symbolism and religious significance of a gold coin depicting the god of war and King Kumaragupta I, showcasing the Gupta's impact on Hinduism and their political legacy in India.
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Gupta Era Defined Modern Hindu Imagery
- The visual language of Hinduism crystallized around the Gupta Empire circa 400 AD, creating the forms of gods we still recognise today.
- Gupta patrons used temples, statues and state power to standardise images of Shiva, Vishnu and others across a multilingual empire.
Empire Wealth Enabled New Religious Imagery
- The surge in figurative religious images around 400 AD across religions tied to the emergence of wealthy, stable empires able to commission art and architecture.
- Visual art conveyed meanings instantly across languages, valuable in multilingual imperial settings.
Kumaragupta's Horse Coin Retells Ashvamedha Ritual
- Kumara Gupta I minted a gold coin showing a decorated stallion to commemorate his performance of an ancient royal horse sacrifice (ashvamedha).
- The ritual lasted a year, protected the horse from mating, and ended with the king killing it with a gold knife in public.