Ancient India, Achaemenid Empire, Gandhara Satrap, Taxila (C.500-300 Bce), 1/8 Shatamana(C)

The ancient city of Taxila in north-western India was conquered by the Persian Achaemenid Emperor Darius I when he invaded the Gandhara Janapada in 518 BCE, it remained part of the empire until it was conquered by Alexander the Great in 326 BCE. The coinage struck at Taxila during this period was unlike the Greek-inspired Persian coinage that circulated elsewhere in the empire and can be seen as an entirely native Indian invention. It also suggests its production predates the Persian invasion. It’s continued production under Persian rule reflects the local Indian merchant’s preference for currency in this form.