The present book is an authoritative and authentic source for the study of Indian coins. It not only describes the coins but also studies them critically in all their aspects. The points which are dealth with here are on numismatic studies in India; Satamana and Sana; Kautilya and Buddhaghosa on coins; silver coins of Vasisthiputra Satakarni; alleged coins of the Mahisa kings; coins of semi-independent rulers; date of Isvaradatta's coins; Petluripalem hoard; some problems of tribal coins; coins of Kumaragupta I, Harigupta and Ramagupta; coins of Muhammad bin Sam and Prthviraja; coins of Kakatiya Prataparudra I; Gajapati Pagoda, Ganga Fanam and Ramatanka; coins of Bhairavasimha; Maratha mint under the Peshwas; Cowrie-shell, rupee and pice. In describing the features of a particular class of coins from the standpoint of standard, style and fabric or in discussing the significance of the numismatic terms, the author has utilized the literary data which have a bearing on them.

At the very outset, I wish to clarify that this is not a new work : This WebGuruCool Indological Studies 3 incorporates parts of my work, Encyclopaedia of Indian Coins (Ancient Coins of Northern India up to c 650 AD), a two-volume set, published by Agam Kala Prakashan, Delhi, in 2012. The main object behind undertaking this publication is to make information about the divinities and their symbols, appearing on ancient Indian coins, available to students, who may be interested, but are unable to access the Encyclopaedia. On a more selfish note, it is a sort of an advertisement for the Encyclopaedia. It is hoped that a perusal of this WebGuruCool Indological Studies 3 may whet the appetite of the readers for the Encyclopaedia. For a brief survey of ancient Indian coinage system, I would refer the reader to the Introduction of my Encyclopaedia of Indian Coins (Ancient Coins of Northern India up to c 650 AD) 1, to my Gleanings in Ancient Indian Numismatics, and to my joint work with Professor K K Thaplyal, Coins of Ancient India. In the Dictionary proper, the divinites and their symbols, occurring on ancient Indian coins, have been arranged in an alphabetical order. The Select Bibliography begins at page number 195. I acknowledge, with a profound sense of gratitude, the inspiration I always receive from my Guru, Professor K K Thaplyal, and the warm support extended to me by my family, and extended family of students—Wife Dr Nidhi Srivastava, daughters Pratichi and Purvi, son-in-law Kumar Aishvarya, and students Dr Umesh Singh, Dr Jitesh Kumar Singh, Sushil Chand and Abhay Pratap Singh Rajawat. 27 November 2022. Prashant Srivastava.

In Indian context.