The earliest coins belonged to the fifth century B.C. and they are cal...
During the Vedic period, a large number of cities came into existence in north-eastern India. New cities such as Kausambi near Allahabad, Kusinagar (in the Deoria district of Uttar Pradesh), Banaras, Vaisah (in the newly created district, of the same name in north Bihar), Chirand (in the Chapra district) and Rajgir (situated at a distance of about 100 km from Patna). Besides others these cities had many artisans and traders, who began to use coins for the first time. The earliest coins belonged to the fifth century B.C., and they are called punch-marked coins. They circulated for the first time in -eastern Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. The use of coins naturally facilitated trade and commerce, which added to the importance of the Vaisyas.
View all questions of this test
The earliest coins belonged to the fifth century B.C. and they are cal...
The earliest coins in India, known as punch-marked coins, were first circulated in the fifth century B.C. These coins were made of silver and had various symbols punched onto them. The symbols on the coins represented different rulers or kingdoms.
The punch-marked coins were initially circulated in the region that is now known as Bihar and Uttar Pradesh. Bihar is a state located in eastern India, while Uttar Pradesh is a state located in northern India. These two states were home to several powerful kingdoms and were major centers of trade and commerce during ancient times.
One of the reasons why punch-marked coins were introduced in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh is because these regions were situated along the banks of the Ganges River, which was an important trade route. The coins facilitated trade and were used as a medium of exchange in commercial transactions.
The punch-marked coins were also circulated in other parts of India, including Assam and Bengal. Assam is a state located in northeastern India, while Bengal is a region that encompasses parts of both Bangladesh and the Indian state of West Bengal. These regions also had significant trade and economic activity, making them suitable for the circulation of coins.
However, the earliest evidence of punch-marked coins has been found in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, suggesting that these regions were the first to adopt this form of currency. The coins have been discovered in archaeological excavations and are considered an important part of India's numismatic history.
In conclusion, the earliest coins in India, known as punch-marked coins, were first circulated in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh during the fifth century B.C. These coins played a crucial role in facilitating trade and commerce in the region and are considered an important artifact of India's ancient history.
To make sure you are not studying endlessly, EduRev has designed UPSC study material, with Structured Courses, Videos, & Test Series. Plus get personalized analysis, doubt solving and improvement plans to achieve a great score in UPSC.