Consider the following statements : I. Pali texts contain the first definite references to coins, e.g., kahapana, nikkha, kamsa, and kakanika. II. The literary evidence from Pali texts is corroborated by archaeological evidence of punch-marked coins from many sites, most of them made of silver. The above statements have been associated with which of the following? 1. Emergence of urban life 2. Transition to money economy Select the answer using the code given below : |ForumIAS

Q. Consider the following statements :
I. Pali texts contain the first definite references to coins, e.g., kahapana, nikkha, kamsa, and kakanika.
II. The literary evidence from Pali texts is corroborated by archaeological evidence of punch-marked coins from many sites, most of them made of silver. The above statements have been associated with which of the following?
1. Emergence of urban life
2. Transition to money economy
Select the answer using the code given below :

[A] 1 only

[B] 2 only

[C] Both 1 and 2

[D] Neither 1 nor 2

Answer: C

Notes:

Exp) option c is the correct answer.

Statement 1 is correct. Pali texts referred to several types of coins, which indicates the existence of active trade and commercial exchange. The archaeological discoveries of punch-marked coins from many sites suggest the use of coins which encouraged trade, markets, specialised occupations, and exchange of goods over long distances. Such expanding commercial activities generally developed in urban centres.

Statement 2 is correct. The mention of coins such as kahapana, nikkha, kamsa, and kakanika in pali texts, along with the archaeological discovery of punch-marked coins, shows increasing use of metallic currency in economic transactions. These developments reflect a shift away from barter exchange towards a money economy.

Source:)https://egyankosh.ac.in/bitstream/123456789/64791/1/Unit13.pdf page 242

Post-Mains Strategy Session by Mr. Ayush Sinha | ForumIAS