Mathura Lion Capital

Mathura lion capital

The Mathura lion capital (British Museum)
Material	Red Sandstone
Size	16.75 inches tip to tip
Created	1-10 CE
Discovered	Mathura in Central India
Present location	British Museum, London

The Mathura lion capital is an Indo-Scythian sandstone capital from Mathura in Central India, dated to the first decade of the 1st century CE (1-10 CE). It was consecrated under the rule of Rajuvula, one of the Northern Satraps of the region of Mathura.

The capital was excavated by Bhagwan Lal Indraji in 1869. It is covered with Prakrit inscriptions in the kharoshthi script of northwestern India. The capital was made on the occasion of the funeral of "the illustrious king Muki and his horse" (Muki has been conjectured to be Maues).

The capital describes, among other donations, the gift of a stupa with a relic of the Buddha, by Queen Ayasia, the "chief queen of the Indo-Scythian ruler of Mathura, satrap Rajuvula". She is mentioned as the "daughter of Kharahostes" (See: Mathura Lion Capital inscriptions below). The lion capital also mentions the genealogy of several Indo-Scythian satraps of Mathura. It mentions Sodasa, son of Rajuvula, who succeeded him and also made Mathura his capital.

The capital also displays at its center a Buddhist triratana symbol, further confirming the involvement of Indo-Scythian rulers with Buddhism.

The inscription indicates support of the Sarvastivadin, against the Mahasamghikas.

It is on display at the British Museum in the Joseph E. Hotung Gallery.