Discuss the economic and other activities related with introduction of coinage since 6th century BCE of the Indian history upto 400 A.D.

When we look at the period from 6th century BCE to 400AD in the Indian history most of the cities are located in most important land and river routes of communication and this cities were bustling with small towns. And from the sixth century BCE, we see that land and river routes criss-crossed the subcontinent and extended in various directions – overland into Central Asia and beyond, and overseas, from ports that dotted the coastline – extending across the Arabian Sea to East and North Africa and West Asia, and through the Bay of Bengal to Southeast Asia and China. Rulers often attempted to control these routes, possibly by offering protection for a price. Different types of trader from peddlars to merchants, to seafarers were traversing these routes. 
 we find that wide range of goods were carried from one place to another – salt, grain, cloth, metal ores and finished products, stone, timber, medicinal plants, to name a few. Spices, especially pepper, were in high demand in the Roman Empire, as were textiles and medicinal plants, and these were all transported across the Arabian Sea to the Mediterranean.

1. Such robust trade and economic activities were to some extent facilitated by the introduction of coinage. Punch-marked coins made of silver and copper (c. sixth century BCE onwards) were amongst the earliest to be minted and used. However we see that later on Kushanas after that Guptas began to produce Gold coins. It has lead scholars to assume that the value of trade could have been huge. Moreover there are evidence of Roman gold coins found in Indian subcontinent. Thus we can see that trade was not just located within the subcontinent but was spread outside of it.

2. We also see that coins were used for propagating ideas of kings and rulers. we see punch marked coins of ruler on coins with their title or sometime names. Thus to proclaim themselves as king or ruler.

Tips: -

M. Imp.