Coins in Ancient and Medieval India — UPSC Prelims Practice
Answer all questions carefully. Pay close attention to dynastic attribution, metals, scripts, and coin-specific features.
hard•13 questions•~14 min
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Question 01
hard
Consider the following statements about Punch Marked Coins:
1. They were die-struck on both sides.
2. Each weight unit was called 'Ratti' weighing 0.11 gram.
3. Magadha's punch marked coins had generally five symbols and became the most circulated in South Asia.
4. They are mentioned in Panini's Ashtadhyayi, Manusmriti and Buddhist Jataka stories.
Which of the above statements are correct?
Question 02
medium
Which of the following correctly describes the language/script features of Indo-Greek coins?
Question 03
hard
Consider the following pairs of dynasties and their coin features:
1. Satavahanas — Lead as primary metal; Ujjain symbol; Prakrit language
2. Guptas — Silver as primary metal; Sanskrit in Brahmi script first used
3. Western Satraps — Bear dates in Saka era; Buddhist chaitya on reverse
4. Vardhanas — Silver coins; peacock on reverse; dating from Harsha's coronation
How many of the above pairs are correctly matched?
Question 04
medium
The Ujjain symbol found on ancient Indian coins is best described as:
Question 05
hard
With reference to Gupta period coins, consider the following statements:
1. Gupta coins were primarily made of gold.
2. Sanskrit in Brahmi script was used for the first time in the history of coins during the Gupta period.
3. Silver coins were issued from the very beginning of Gupta rule.
4. The reverse side of Gupta coins commonly depicted Goddess Lakshmi, Durga, Ganga, Garuda and Kartikeya.
Which of the above statements are correct?
Question 06
medium
Which of the following correctly matches the Delhi Sultanate ruler with their monetary innovation?
Question 07
hard
Sher Shah Suri introduced two weight standards for coins. Which of the following correctly matches these standards with their corresponding metals and later names?
Question 08
hard
Consider the following statements about Mughal coinage:
1. The standard gold coin was the Mohur, equivalent to 9 rupees as per Ain-i-Akbari.
2. Akbar issued Ilahi coins in 1579 to propagate Din-i-Illahi; one Ilahi coin was equal to 10 rupees.
3. Jahangir's most famous coins had images of Zodiac signs and sometimes bore the name of Noorjahan.
4. The silver Rupee was an original Mughal invention.
Which of the above statements are correct?
Question 09
hard
Match the following dynasties with their distinctive coin symbols:
A. Eastern Chalukyas — 1. Peacock
B. Vardhanas — 2. Boar
C. Pallava — 3. Fish
D. Pandyan (later period) — 4. Lion
Question 10
medium
Which of the following statements about the Delhi Sultanate's coinage is/are distinctive compared to earlier Indian dynasties?
Question 11
hard
The gold 'varahan' coin issued by Krishna Deva Raya (1509–1529) of the Vijayanagara Empire featured which images/inscriptions?
Question 12
hard
Consider the following statements about Kushan coins:
1. Kushan kings introduced portrait heads on coins following the Greek custom.
2. Kushan coins had a helmeted bust of the king on one side and the king's favourite deity on the reverse.
3. Coins issued by Kanishka were bilingual, written in Greek and Kharosthi.
4. Kushan coinage influenced many subsequent tribes and dynasties to issue their own coins.
Which of the above statements are correct?
Question 13
medium
Which of the following features correctly distinguishes Western Chalukyan coins from Eastern Chalukyan coins?