Consider the following statements regarding coins issued in Gupta age...
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.
Consider the following statements regarding coins issued in Gupta age...
Gupta age coins
- Material: Gold
- Inscriptions: Brahmi script
- Depiction: Emperors in martial activities
The correct statement regarding coins issued in Gupta age is option 'B' - 2 only.
Explanation:
1. Material: Coins issued in Gupta age were not made of gold only. They were also made of silver, copper, lead, and alloys of these metals.
2. Inscriptions: The inscriptions on the coins were not all in the Brahmi script for the first time in the history of coins. Brahmi script was used on earlier coins as well, but it became more prominent during Gupta age.
3. Depiction: The emperors were not depicted only in martial activities like hunting lions and posing with weapons. They were also depicted in other activities like playing musical instruments, sitting on the throne, etc.
Therefore, the correct statement is that the inscriptions on the coins were all in the Brahmi script for the first time in the history of coins.