Q. Which of the following statements regarding archaeological sources of the 6th to 3rd century BCE are correct?
1.Northern Black Polished Ware (NBPW) is a fine deluxe pottery style associated with the rise of urban centers and trade in northern India.
2.Punch-marked coins represent the earliest documented metallic currency system.
3.NPBW pottery was produced using pure iron oxide pigments on unbaked clay.
4.Punch-marked coins were issued by a centralized royal mint under the command of the imperial Mauryan state from their inception.
Select the answer using the code given below:
Answer: A
Notes:
Explanation:
- Statement 1 is correct: The Northern Black Polished Ware (NBPW) culture ( – BCE) marks the Second Urbanization phase in the Ganga plain, characterized by walled towns, iron tools, and luxury tablewares.
- Statement 2 is correct: Silver and copper punch-marked coins (Karshapana or Pana) appeared around the century BCE, marking the beginning of coinage and commercialization.
- Statement 3 is incorrect: The name NBPW is misleading; the surface finish was achieved through specialized reduction firing technique in kilns, and specimens are occasionally red, golden, or brown rather than strictly black.
- Statement 4 is incorrect: Early punch-marked coins were issued by merchant guilds (Shrenis) and local Janapadas before centralized imperial state minting was organized under the Mauryas.
