13. The Turk Shahis in Kabulistan

According to the Chinese sources the Turkic dynasty that already reigned over Zabulistan (showcase 12) seized power in Kabulistan from Ghar-ilchi, the last Nezak king known by name, sometime after 661 CE. In 653 CE the Chinese emperor had formally installed Ghar-ilchi as king of Jibin (former Kapisi / Kabulistan), and in 661 as the Chinese protectorate of the “Western Regions”, which included Jibin, had been established, the Tang emperor confirmed him on the throne.

Shortly thereafter the Turk Shahis under the leadership of Barha Tegin assumed power in Jibin and subsequently moved the administrative and royal center from Kapisa (Begram) to Kabul. Already in 665 CE Arab troops plundered Kabul for the first time, however, the Turkic Kabul Shah managed quickly to regain the upper hand.

At first the coinage did not reflect the change in power from the Nezak to the Turk Shahis since the new rulers appear to have assumed the old Nezak type unaltered. The characteristic winged bull's head crown remained, and the Pehlevi inscription "King of Nezak", even if illegible, continued to be used (Nos. 1–2). However, a clear break with the earlier coinage of the Nezak (showcase 11) is apparent in regard to style, and the new drachms were struck in metal of significantly higher quality. A series of copper coins is remarkable in that their imagery breaks with tradition; instead of the Sasanian fire altar new depictions appear in the program on the coin reverse. These include the bull and the elephant, which are embodiments of royal power and undefeatable strength and, according to Iranian custom, serve as signs of divine royal glory (khwarrah) designating the ruler chosen by the gods (Nr. 6–7). On the obverse the bust of the ruler with the winged bull's head crown remains but with an added crescent moon on the side, and the king wears a Central Asian caftan (No. 4). This whole group of coins, which was probably struck at a common mint, is characterized by a new tamga  which receives a prominent position in the back of the coin (Nos. 3, 5, 8, 9). On one type (No. 8), the Bactrian legend "Zunado" is placed between the two tamgas instead of the fire altar; this might indicate the name of the issuing ruler or refer to the god Zun, who was especially worshipped in Zabulistan.

Context
  • A. Symbol (tamga) of the Turk Shahis of Kabul

A. Symbol (tamga) of the Turk Shahis of Kabul

  • B. Panorama view of the excavation site at Mes Aynak (40 km south east of Kabul, Logar province, Afghanistan). (© Anna Filigenzi)

B. Panorama view of the excavation site at Mes Aynak (40 km south east of Kabul, Logar province, Afghanistan). The extent of the remnants of both profane and religious settlements that could still lie under the ground can hardly be estimated; however, just with the naked eye numerous traces can be discovered in an area of 400,000 m2. The settlement seems to have been in use from the 2nd into the 9th century CE. (© Anna Filigenzi)

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  • C. Chapel with obvious traces of fire. Two of the originally four wooden pillars can be made out. (© Anna Filigenzi)

C. Chapel with obvious traces of fire. Two of the originally four wooden pillars can be made out. Only minimal traces of the sculptural program have been preserved, among them an over-dimensional human finger and two animal ears. These fragments and the noticeably long base located across from the entrance indicate that the main cult image of this chapel was probably the Hindu goddess Durga slaying the demon Mahisha, who had hidden himself in the body of a buffalo; this type of representation is typical for the 7th/8th century CE. (© Anna Filigenzi)

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  • D. View in a chapel with a small stone stupa (around 6th century CE).(© Anna Filigenzi) The round two-story superstructure sits on a wreath of lotus petals.

D. View in a chapel with a small stone stupa (around 6th century CE). The round two-story superstructure sits on a wreath of lotus petals. The interior was originally decorated with wall paintings, of which only few traces remain, and the clay floor contained scratched decoration. (© Anna Filigenzi)

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  • E. The "Large Chapel" of Tepe Kafiriyat from the 5th/6th century CE. (© Anna Filigenzi)

E. The "Large Chapel" of Tepe Kafiriyat from the 5th/6th century CE. In the interior was a relatively small image of the Buddha entering Parinirvana, the moment of his bodily death, surrounded by giant sculptures of other Buddhas and Bodhisattvas (only their legs have been preserved). (© Anna Filigenzi)

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