Eran is an ancient town and archaeological site in the Sagar district of Madhya Pradesh, India. It was one of the ancient mints for Indian dynasties as evidenced by the diverse coins excavated here. The site has 5th and 6th-century Gupta era temples and monuments, particularly the colossal stone boar with sages and scholars depicted on the body of the sculpture. The inscription stones found at Eran are important to reconstructing the chronology of Gupta Empire history. Eran or Erakina was the capital of Erakina (Airikina) Pradesha or Airkina Vishaya, an administrative division of the Gupta empire.
Mandapa of the Vishnu Temple at Eran
The Buddhagupta pillar at Eran (c.476–495 CE), raised in honour of Janardana, another name of Vishnu. On top is a double statue of Garuda, holding a serpent in his hands, with a chakra wheel behind the head.
Eran colossal boar statue
Ruins with broken pillars in 1892
The Gupta Empire was an ancient Indian empire on the Indian subcontinent which existed from the early 4th century CE to early 6th century CE. At its zenith, from approximately 319 to 467 CE, it covered much of the Indian subcontinent. This period has been considered as the Golden Age of India by historians, although this characterisation has been disputed by some other historians. The ruling dynasty of the empire was founded by Gupta and the most notable rulers of the dynasty were Chandragupta I, Samudragupta, Chandragupta II, Kumaragupta I and Skandagupta. The 4th-century CE Sanskrit poet Kalidasa credits the Guptas with having conquered about twenty-one kingdoms, both in and outside India, including the kingdoms of Persians, the Hunas, the Kambojas, tribes located in the west and east Oxus valleys, the Kinnaras, Kiratas, and others.
Queen Kumaradevi and King Chandragupta I, depicted on a gold coin
Standing Buddha in red sandstone, Art of Mathura, Gupta period c. 5th century CE. Mathura Museum
Gold coins of Chandragupta II
Sculpture of Vishnu (red sandstone), 5th century CE.