All questions of Coins in Ancient and Medieval India for OPSC OCS (Odisha) Exam

The reign of Indo-Greeks was from 180 BC to around 10 AD. The Indo-Greeks introduced the fashion of showing the bustor head of the ruler on the coins.

Introduction
The question involves the historical context of Turkish and Delhi Sultan coins, specifically focusing on the statements regarding their introduction and inscriptions.
Statement Analysis
1. Rupee and dam was introduced by Muhammad Bin Tughlaq
- The introduction of the rupee is attributed to Sher Shah Suri, not Muhammad Bin Tughlaq.
- Muhammad Bin Tughlaq did introduce a token currency system, but the rupee as we know it today was established later.
2. The coins had inscriptions in the form of King's name, title and the date as per Gregorian Calendar
- Coins from the Delhi Sultanate, including those during Muhammad Bin Tughlaq's reign, typically featured inscriptions in Arabic.
- The dates on these coins were based on the Islamic calendar, not the Gregorian calendar.
Conclusion
Both statements are incorrect:
- The rupee was not introduced by Muhammad Bin Tughlaq.
- The coins did not feature Gregorian calendar dates.
Thus, the correct answer is option 'D': Neither of the statements is correct.
Understanding these historical nuances is crucial for comprehending the evolution of currency in the Indian subcontinent, especially during the Delhi Sultanate period.

Satavahanas rule started after 232 BC and lasted up to 227 AD. The Satavahana kings mostly used lead as a material for their coins. Silver coins were rare.

The coins issued by Pandyan dynasty were square shaped with an image of elephant in the early period. Later, fish became a very important symbol in the coins. The gold and silver coins had inscriptions in Sanskrit and copper coins in tamil. The coins of the Chola king Raja Raja-I had the standing king on one side and seated goddess on the other side with inscriptions generally in Sanskrit. Rajendra-I's coins had the legend 'Sri Rajendra' or 'Gangaikonda Chola' inscribed with the emblems of tiger and fish. The coins of the Pallava dynasty had the figure of a lion.

The coins issued by the Rajput dynasties (11th_12th century) were mostly of gold, copper or billon (an alloy of silver and copper)but very rarely silver. There were two types of Rajput coinage. One type showed the name of the king in Sanskrit on one side and a goddess on the other side. The coins of the Kalachuris, the Chandellas of Bundelkhand, the Tomars of Ajmer and Delhi and of the Rathores of Kannauj were of this type. The kings of Gandhara or Sindh introduced the other type of silver coins that had a seated bull on one side and a horseman on the other.

The Gupta age (319 AD-550 AD) marked a period of great Hindu revival. The Gupta coins were mainly made of gold, although they issued silver and copper coins too. Silver coins were issued only after Chandragupta II overthrew the Western Satraps. There were many types and varieties of Gupta gold coins. On one side of these coins, we find the king standing and making oblations before an altar, playing the veena, performing ashvamedha, riding a horse or an elephant, slaying a lion or a tiger or a rhinoceros with a sword or bow, or sitting on a couch. On the other side is the goddess Lakshmi seated on a throne or a lotus seal, or the figure of the queen herself. The inscriptions on the coins were all in Sanskrit (Brahmi script) for the first time in the history of coins. Gupta rulers issued coins depicting the emperors not only in martial activities like hunting lions/tigers, posing with weapons, etc., but also in leisurely activities like playing a Veena, with reverse side of the coin having images of goddess Lakshmi, Durga, Ganga, Garuda and Kartikeya.

Overview of Mughal Coinage Statements
In the context of Mughal coinage, let's analyze each statement to determine which are correct and which are not.
Statement 1: Akbar issued both round and square coins
- This statement is correct.
- Akbar introduced a variety of coin shapes, including both round and square coins. His innovative approach to coinage reflected the diversity of his empire.
Statement 2: Illahi coins were issued by Jahangir
- This statement is not correct.
- Illahi coins were actually introduced by Akbar and continued to be used during Jahangir's reign, but they are primarily associated with Akbar. Jahangir did not issue them as a new series.
Statement 3: Coins of Jahangir had images of Zodiac signs
- This statement is correct.
- Jahangir's coins often featured intricate designs, including images of Zodiac signs, which reflected his interest in astrology and art.
Conclusion
Given the analysis:
- Statement 1 is correct.
- Statement 2 is incorrect.
- Statement 3 is correct.
Thus, the answer to which statements are not correct is option 'B' (2 only). This indicates that Jahangir did not issue Illahi coins, making the second statement incorrect.

The Western Satraps (35-405 AD) had their dominion in Western India, originally comprising Malwa, Gujarat and Kathiawar. They were all of Saka origin. The coins of Western Satraps are of great historical importance. They bear dates in the Saka era, which started from 78 AD. The coins of the Western Satraps have the head of the king on one side and on the other side, they carry the device of the Buddhist chaitya or stupa evidently borrowed from Satavahanas.