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With reference to coins in ancient India, which of the following statements are correct?
1. The Saka coins of the Western shatrapas are one of the earliest dated coins.
2. Indo-Greeks were the first to issue gold coins in India.
3. Lord Shiva and Buddha were portrayed on the coins of Kushana rulers.
4. Gupta rulers prohibited the use of gold coins to protect the empire from economic decline.
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
  • a)
    1 and 2 only
  • b)
    2 and 4 only
  • c)
    1, 2 and 3 only
  • d)
    1, 3 and 4 only
Correct answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer?
Most Upvoted Answer
With reference to coins in ancient India,which of the following statem...
  • The earliest of the dynastic coins relate to those of the Indo-Greeks, the Saka-Pahlavas and the Kushans. These coins are generally placed between the 2nd century BC and the 2nd century AD. Hellenistic traditions characterize the silver coins of the Indo-Greeks, with Greek gods and goddesses figuring prominently, apart from the portraits of the issuers. These coins with their Greek legends are historically significant, as the history of the Indo-Greeks has been reconstructed almost entirely on their evidence.
  • The Saka coinage of the Western Kshatrapas is perhaps the earliest dated coins, the dates being given in the Saka era which commences in AD 78. The Saka era represents the official calendar of the Indian Republic. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
    • The term Western Kshatraps alludes to the set of rulers who ruled Western India between the 1st and 4th century AD. The legends on the coins were generally in Greek and Brahmi. Kharoshti too was used. The Western Kshatrap coins are reckoned to be the earliest coins bearing dates. The common copper coins are the 'bull and hill' and the 'elephant and hill' types.
  • From around 200 BC, many Greek adventures rode off with their armies to try their hand at conquering their own little kingdoms in the fabled land of golden fortune, India. The early coins seem like they could have come directly from Greece itself, with their diadems and helmets, Greek scripts and Greek goddesses, and Greek names like Demetrios and Appollodotos. Over time, these Indo-Greek kings became ever more Indian. They started worshipping the Buddha and Hindu gods like Vishnu and Krishna. In fact, the earliest known depiction of Lord Krishna is on the coin of a King Agathokles, who depicts him in a chiton (an ancient Greek dress worn by men), along with his chakra. They were the first to issue gold coins in India. Hence, statement 2 is correct.
  • Earliest Kushan coinage is generally attributed to Vima Kadphises. The Kushan coins generally depicted iconographic forms drawn from Greek, Mesopotamian, Zorastrian and Indian mythology. Lord Shiva, Buddha and Kartikeya were the major Indian deities portrayed. Kushan gold coins influenced subsequent issues, notably those of the Guptas. Hence, statement 3 is correct.
  • Gupta coinage (4th-6th centuries AD) followed the tradition of the Kushans, depicting the king on the obverse and a deity on the reverse; the deities were Indian and the legends were in Brahmi. The earliest Gupta coins are attributed to Samudragupta, Chandragupta II and Kumaragupta and their coins often commemorate dynastic succession as well as significant socio-political events, like marriage alliances, the horse sacrifice, etc (King and queen type of coin of Chandragupta-I, Asvamedha type, etc.), or for that matter artistic and personal accomplishments of royal members (Lyrist, Archer, Lion-slayer etc.). Gupta rulers issued many different types of gold coins. Hence, statement 4 is not correct.
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With reference to coins in ancient India,which of the following statem...
Ancient coins in India hold significant historical and cultural value. Let's analyze each statement to determine their correctness:

1. The Saka coins of the Westernshatrapas are one of the earliest dated coins.
The Saka coins of the Westernshatrapas are indeed one of the earliest dated coins in ancient India. The Westernshatrapas were a dynasty that ruled over parts of western and central India from the 1st to the 4th century CE. Their coins were primarily made of silver and often featured various symbols and inscriptions. These coins have been found in archaeological excavations and provide valuable insights into the socio-economic conditions of that era.

2. Indo-Greeks were the first to issue gold coins in India.
The statement is incorrect. The Indo-Greeks were not the first to issue gold coins in India. The Mauryan Empire, under the reign of Emperor Chandragupta Maurya and his successors, was the first to introduce gold coins known as dinars. These gold coins were used as a medium of exchange and were called "suvarna" in Sanskrit. The Indo-Greeks, who ruled parts of northwestern India after the Mauryan Empire, did issue coins, but they primarily used silver and copper alloys.

3. Lord Shiva and Buddha were portrayed on the coins of Kushana rulers.
The statement is correct. The Kushana rulers, who ruled parts of northern India, Afghanistan, and Central Asia from the 1st to the 3rd century CE, issued coins that featured various deities and symbols. Lord Shiva and Buddha were indeed portrayed on some of these coins, along with other Hindu and Buddhist deities. These coins provide valuable artistic and iconographic insights into the religious and cultural practices of the Kushana Empire.

4. Gupta rulers prohibited the use of gold coins to protect the empire from economic decline.
The statement is incorrect. The Gupta rulers, who ruled over a large part of northern India from the 4th to the 6th century CE, did not prohibit the use of gold coins. In fact, the Gupta Empire witnessed a flourishing economy, and gold coins known as "dinars" were widely circulated during this period. The Gupta gold coins were highly valued and often depicted the ruling emperor and various symbols of prosperity.

In conclusion, the correct statements are:
1. The Saka coins of the Westernshatrapas are one of the earliest dated coins.
2. Indo-Greeks were the first to issue gold coins in India.
3. Lord Shiva and Buddha were portrayed on the coins of Kushana rulers.
Therefore, the correct answer is option (c) 1, 2, and 3 only.
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With reference to coins in ancient India,which of the following statements arecorrect?1. The Saka coins of the Westernshatrapas are one of the earliest datedcoins.2. Indo-Greeks were the first to issue goldcoins in India.3. Lord Shiva and Buddha were portrayedon the coins of Kushana rulers.4. Gupta rulers prohibited the use of goldcoins to protect the empire fromeconomic decline.Select the correct answer using the code givenbelow.a)1 and 2 onlyb)2 and 4 onlyc)1, 2 and 3 onlyd)1, 3 and 4 onlyCorrect answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer?
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With reference to coins in ancient India,which of the following statements arecorrect?1. The Saka coins of the Westernshatrapas are one of the earliest datedcoins.2. Indo-Greeks were the first to issue goldcoins in India.3. Lord Shiva and Buddha were portrayedon the coins of Kushana rulers.4. Gupta rulers prohibited the use of goldcoins to protect the empire fromeconomic decline.Select the correct answer using the code givenbelow.a)1 and 2 onlyb)2 and 4 onlyc)1, 2 and 3 onlyd)1, 3 and 4 onlyCorrect answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer? for UPSC 2024 is part of UPSC preparation. The Question and answers have been prepared according to the UPSC exam syllabus. Information about With reference to coins in ancient India,which of the following statements arecorrect?1. The Saka coins of the Westernshatrapas are one of the earliest datedcoins.2. Indo-Greeks were the first to issue goldcoins in India.3. Lord Shiva and Buddha were portrayedon the coins of Kushana rulers.4. Gupta rulers prohibited the use of goldcoins to protect the empire fromeconomic decline.Select the correct answer using the code givenbelow.a)1 and 2 onlyb)2 and 4 onlyc)1, 2 and 3 onlyd)1, 3 and 4 onlyCorrect answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer? covers all topics & solutions for UPSC 2024 Exam. Find important definitions, questions, meanings, examples, exercises and tests below for With reference to coins in ancient India,which of the following statements arecorrect?1. The Saka coins of the Westernshatrapas are one of the earliest datedcoins.2. Indo-Greeks were the first to issue goldcoins in India.3. Lord Shiva and Buddha were portrayedon the coins of Kushana rulers.4. Gupta rulers prohibited the use of goldcoins to protect the empire fromeconomic decline.Select the correct answer using the code givenbelow.a)1 and 2 onlyb)2 and 4 onlyc)1, 2 and 3 onlyd)1, 3 and 4 onlyCorrect answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer?.
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