Found in large numbers, the coins, mostly made of silver and ascribed to the Mauryan times, are known as (A) Karshapana (B) Dinara (C) Danni (D) Nishka

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Points to Remember:

  • Mauryan Empire coinage
  • Types of ancient Indian coins
  • Identifying the prevalent Mauryan coin

Introduction:

The Mauryan Empire (322-185 BCE), under the rule of Chandragupta Maurya and his successors, witnessed significant economic and administrative development. A crucial aspect of this development was the standardization and widespread use of coinage. While various types of coins circulated in ancient India, a specific type is prominently associated with the Mauryan period. The question asks us to identify this prevalent coin type from the given options. The approach required is factual, relying on historical evidence and archaeological findings.

Body:

The Karshapana:

The Karshapana was the most common currency during the Mauryan period. These coins were primarily made of silver, although copper Karshapanas also existed. Numerous archaeological excavations have unearthed large quantities of Karshapanas, confirming their widespread use across the Mauryan Empire. Their design varied slightly across regions and time periods, but they generally featured punch-marked symbols, reflecting the early stages of coinage technology. The weight and purity of Karshapanas were relatively standardized, contributing to the stability of the Mauryan economy.

Other Coin Types:

  • Dinara: This was a Roman coin, not associated with the Mauryan Empire.
  • Danni: While “Danni” might appear in some historical texts, it’s not a widely recognized primary coin type of the Mauryan era. Its association with the Mauryan period is not strongly established.
  • Nishka: The Nishka was a unit of currency in ancient India, but it wasn’t always a coin. It often represented a weight of gold or a specific quantity of other commodities. While Nishkas might have existed as coins in some periods, they are not as strongly identified with the Mauryan era’s widespread coinage as the Karshapana.

Conclusion:

In summary, based on historical evidence and archaeological findings, the Karshapana (A) is the correct answer. The large number of silver Karshapanas discovered from sites across the Mauryan Empire unequivocally establishes it as the dominant coin type of that period. The other options, Dinara, Danni, and Nishka, either belong to different geographical regions or historical periods, or are not as definitively linked to the widespread coinage of the Mauryan Empire. Understanding the Mauryan coinage system provides valuable insight into the economic and administrative sophistication of this ancient Indian empire, highlighting its contribution to the development of a unified and prosperous state. Further research into the metallurgical composition and design variations of Karshapanas could offer deeper insights into the economic and technological advancements of the Mauryan era.

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