UPSC CSE Prelims
Political and Economic Developments Previous Year Questions (PYQs)
Practice solved questions for Political and Economic Developments with detailed step-by-step solutions, key insights, and trend analysis for UPSC CSE PRELIMS.
Solved Previous Year Questions
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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 ?
- Emergence of urban life
- Transition to money economy
Select the answer using the code given below :
Detailed Explanation:
The mention of coins such as kahapana, nikkha, kamsa, and kakanika in Pali texts, along with the discovery of punch-marked coins, shows the growth of a monetized economy in ancient India.
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Emergence of Urban Life: Coins facilitated trade, markets, craft production, and the growth of towns during the Second Urbanization (6th century BCE).
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Transition to Money Economy: The use of coins marked a shift from the barter system to a money-based economy, enabling standardized transactions.
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Therefore, the statements are associated with both (1) Emergence of Urban Life and (2) Transition to Money Economy, making Option C the correct answer.
Why Both Statements Are Associated
| Development | Relation with Coinage |
|---|---|
| Emergence of Urban Life | Coins supported trade, markets, guilds, and the growth of cities. |
| Transition to Money Economy | Coins replaced barter and enabled easier exchange of goods and services. |
Punch-Marked Coins
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Period | Around 6th Century BCE |
| Material | Mostly Silver |
| Type | Earliest coins of India |
| Shape | Irregular pieces with symbols punched on them |
| Associated With | Mahajanapadas and Second Urbanization |
Important Facts
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Pali texts provide some of the earliest literary references to coins.
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Punch-marked coins are considered the oldest coins of ancient India.
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Their use reflects increasing trade, taxation, urbanization, and economic specialization.
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