Tribal Republic, Kshudrakas, Copper, 0.80g, Obv: Elephant facing left?, Rev: Tree-in-railing with Brahmi legend, “Khadakanam” around (Handa pl. X 7 and 7A). This specimen has the complete legend visible. Uncleaned, very fine, extremely rare.
The legend Khadakanam is a Prakrit rendering of the word Kshudrakanam that has been mentioned in the Mahabharata. The first literary reference to Kshudrakas appears in Panini’s work, which mentions a Kshudraka-Malava sena alliance.
Shri R.G Bhandarkar has identified Kshudrakas with the Oxydrakai mentioned by Greek historians. According to Megasthanes, the Kshudrakas were one of the most powerful tribes that Alexander encountered on the banks of the Indus River in the 4th century BC.
Only one Kshudraka specimen has appeared in auction till now.