Tribal, Agrodaka (Agacha)/Agroha Janapada, Punjab-Haryana Region (150-100 BC), Post – Mauryan period, Copper Unit, Type II, Plate Coin, Obv: a tree within railings with four compartments in the center, Brahmi legend “(Agacha)mitrapadabhi(shthayinam)” around, Rev: a lion standing facing right with an upraised tail, 6.54g, 16.16mm, (Handa # Pl. IV-9), about very fine, Extremely Rare.

Note: One of the finest known coins of this type, it is published as the plate coin in the Tribal Coins of Ancient India book by D. Handa. # Pl. IV-9.

The Kingdom of Agreya, as mentioned in a couplet from Mahabharata, also known as Agrodaka, as mentioned in the Buddhist text Mahamayuri, is said to have been established by King Agrasen around 5000 years ago near the present-day town of Agroha, which lies around 23 kms from Hisar. It is believed that Maharaja Agrasen established Agroha around as a republic, a ‘Janapadasa’, adopting principles of social welfare, brotherhood and non-violence within its administerial framework. James Prinsep is credited to be the first to publish a coin of the Agreya tribe in 1858 and John Allan was the first to make out the Brahmi script ‘Agodaka Janapadasa’, thereby attributing this type to the republic of Agrodaka or Agreya.