The period of coinage production in India after the fall of the Maurya Empire (321–185 BCE) is known as post-Mauryan coinage or post Mauryan period coins. The fall of the Mauryan Empire permitted kingdoms that had been weakened by imperial dominance to rise to prominence and re-establish local, tribal, and monarchical administrations. These nascent states mostly minted copper and silver coins. This article will explain to you the Post Mauryan Period Coins which will be helpful in Ancient History preparation for the UPSC Civil service exam.

Post Mauryan Period Coins

• The period of coinage creation in India following the dissolution of the Maurya Empire (321–185 BCE) is known as post Mauryan coinage.
• The Maurya Empire was divided into various new polities from its enormous and unified state.
• The newly founded Sunga Empire in the east made use of Pataliputra's pre-existing industry.
• Yona monarchs, who were previously integrated by or allied with the Mauryan Empire, established Indo-Greek kingdoms in the Indus, bringing new monetary methods with them.
• The Indo-Scythian Kingdoms and the Kushan Empire both used these strategies.
• During this time, coins were discovered in numerous locations throughout Bihar.
• The coins were square or rectangular dumpy copper pieces with a width of three-quarters of an inch and a length of one and a half inches.
• On one side of the coin, five bold symbols were punched, and on the other, four. The five-symbol groupings closely mirror the Mauryan period's earlier silver punch-marked coins.

Post Mauryan Period Coins - Technology

• The other coins of the post-Mauryan era were either struck from dies or from moulds.
• The moulding method was used for copper coins during the Mauryan period, while the Indo-Bactrim period saw the introduction of the latter technique.
• A new element of writing was added to most of the coins, including these, to designate the issuing authority.
• Earlier coins included symbols similar to those seen on punch-marked coins, but they were eventually replaced by new animal-themed designs.
• The coins of Ujjain came in a wide range of designs, with the majority of them featuring a single symbol that became known as the "Ujjain symbol."
• The emblem was characterised by a circle at the top of each arm, which was sometimes duplicated, and the symbol of 'Swastika,' or the Ujjain symbol was sometimes inserted within the circle.
• The obverse side of the coins had two to seven symbols that were comparable to the punch marked coins.
• However, several coins from this period had a stunning image of a standing man with a long staff.

Coinage of Pushyamitra sunga

• The fabric of the coins was unusual, and they were most likely minted by Pushyamitra Sunga (who usurped the Mauryan throne in about 184 B.C).
• His successors had relocated to Vidisha, where they minted punch-marked copper coins.
• The coins with the punch marks were flat board pieces about an inch in diameter. On one side of the coin, there were four or five tidy symbols, while the other side was blank.
• A legend giving the names of the issuers was found on a few coins from this series, replacing one of the emblems.
• The third form of copper currency had just one or two symbols on it, and some copper punch marked coins look like Mauryan silver punch marked coins.

Inscriptions on Coins - Post Mauryan Period

• The inscriptions on Post Mauryan Empire coins may be used to distinguish local or 'nigam' issues, tribal or 'Janapadas' or 'Ganas' issues, and monarchical or 'Rajatantriya' issues.
• The local coins were likely minted by some form of city state and bore the name of the location.
• Some of the coins had the devices of the king's coinage, with the king's name on one side and the city's name on the other.
• Pushkalavati's currency was one of the most fascinating of the city states' currencies (modern Peshawar).
• The majority of the coins were tiny gold pieces measuring 56 grains.
• On one side of the coin depicted a standing female wearing a crown and clutching an instrument with the Kharosthi inscription 'Pukhalavadi devada Ampai,' which meant Amba, the goddess of Pushkalavati.
• The opposite side of the coin had a humped bull with the Greek word 'Tauros' and the Kharosthi phrase 'Ushabha.'
• The fabric and style of the coin were Hellenistic.

Coinage of Tribal republics

• Tribal republics' coins are also included in the Post-Mauryan era's coinage. During the imperial rule, tribal republics lost their independence.
• They returned to their own republican government and struck their own coins once the Empire fell apart.
• During the second century B.C, The Agreya, Kshudraka, Rajanya, Trigarta, and Yaudheya minted coins.
• The names of the tribes and localities on the coins of the early tribal republics of the second century B.C. were written in Brahmi scripts.
• The coins of the other republics contained their names, as well as a personal name with the title 'Raja' or 'Maharaja,' as well as the name of their ruling god.
• The coins have a different weight for each tribe.
• As multiples or sub multiples, a number of tribes minted coins in multiple weights. A few tribes also produced silver coinage.
• On one side, the Brahmi inscription 'Nekame', a nominative plural, equivalent to the Sanskrit 'Naigamah', and on the other, the names 'Ralimata', 'Atakataka', or 'Dojaka' were found on copper coins minted in the Gandhara area.
• The merchants or dealers were considered to be the issuers of these coins.

Coinage of Indo Scythian

• The majority of Indo Scythian coinage is of great aesthetic quality, however it visibly degrades when Indo Scythian control crumbles about AD 20.
• In the Western Satraps, a high-quality but archetypal currency would last until the 4th century.
• In general, Indo Scythian coinage is highly realistic, falling halfway between Indo-Greek and Kushan coinage in terms of aesthetic quality.
• It is commonly assumed that Greek celators assisted Indo Scythian coinage.
• By employing the Greek language on the obverse and the Kharosthi language on the reverse, Indo-Scythian coins effectively continue the Indo-Greek heritage.
• The monarch's image is never featured, instead being substituted by representations of the king riding a horse (or on a camel), or sitting cross-legged on a cushion. Their coins' reverses usually depict Greek divinities.

Coinage of Pratiharas

• Pratihara Empire or Gurjara Pratihara dynasty coins show various phases of development, indicating that they were issued over a lengthy period of time, maybe 50 to 100 years.
• During the Pratihara reign, inscriptional evidence supports the presence of a well-regulated currency.
• The Pratihara Empire's coinage lasted a very long time in circulation. Because of their lengthy life, they became an important currency throughout the Rajput period that followed.
• The Gurjara government had a solid currency system based on agricultural revenue and the military department, which was matched by the simultaneous demand for a medium of exchange by both local and export commerce.

Coinage of Kushanas

• The principal coins struck by the North Indian and Central Asian Kushan Empire (about 30–375 CE) were gold coins measuring 7.9 grams.
• There was little silver coinage minted, although gold was debased with silver in subsequent centuries.
• The coin designs mainly use Hellenistic types of image, with a deity on one side and the monarch on the other, and generally follow the styles of the preceding Greco-Bactrian rulers in employing Hellenistic forms of image.
• The early Kushan monarchs issued a significant quantity of gold coins that included more gold than the Gupta coins.
• Although the gold coins of the Kushans are generally found west of the Indus, their inscriptions may also be found at Mathura, Sravasti, Kausambi, and Varanasi, as well as in northern India and Sindh.
• As a result, they had taken control of a huge chunk of the Gangetic basin.
• Kushan coins, inscriptions, sculptures, and buildings unearthed at Mathura suggest that it was the Kushans' second capital in India, after Purushapura or Peshawar, when Kanishka constructed a monastery and a massive stupa or relic tower that startled foreign visitors.

Coinage of Satavahanas

• Initially, the Satavahanas only published basic designs.
• Elephants, lions, horses, and chaityas (stupas) are among the classic emblems on their coins, as is the "Ujjain sign," a cross with four circles at the end.
• Later, starting with king Gautamiputra Satakarni in the 1st or 2nd century CE, the Satavahanas became one of the first rulers to issue their own coins with portraits of their rulers, a practise derived from that of the Western Satraps he defeated, which itself originated with the Indo-Greek kings to the northwest.
• Satavahana coins reveal information about their chronology, language, and even facial characteristics (curly hair, long ears and strong lips).
• They mostly minted lead and copper coins, with portrait-style silver pieces being struck over Western Kshatrapa rulers' coinage.
• The Satavahanas employed a Prakrit dialect in all of their currency legends, regardless of location or time.
• Some reverse coin legends are in Tamil and Telugu, which appear to have been used in their heartland, which borders Godavari, Kotilingala, Karimnagar in Telangana, and Krishna, Amaravati, Guntur in Andhra Pradesh.

Conclusion

The fall of the Mauryan Empire prompted kingdoms that had been weakened by imperial dominance to reclaim power and re-establish municipal, tribal, and monarchical administrations. These nascent states generally minted copper and silver coins. Post-Mauryan coinage refers to the time of currency manufacture in India following the collapse of the Maurya Empire (321–185 BCE). From its vast and cohesive polity, the Maurya Empire was fragmented into many new politics.

FAQs

MCQs

1. Which material was most commonly used for minting coins in the Post-Mauryan period?

A) Gold
B) Copper
C) Bronze
D) Silver

2. Which of the following rulers issued coins that featured a blend of Greek and Indian elements?

A) Chandragupta Maurya
B) Menander (Milinda)
C) Samudragupta
D) Kanishka

3. Which dynasty was known for its unique Post-Mauryan coinage, featuring images of deities and animals?

A) The Gupta Dynasty
B) The Shunga Dynasty
C) The Kushan Dynasty
D) The Kanva Dynasty

4. What was the primary purpose of Post-Mauryan coins in ancient India?

A) Religious offerings
B) Political propaganda
C) Facilitating trade and commerce
D) Displaying royal portraits

5. Which region of India saw the issue of Greek-influenced coins during the Post-Mauryan period?

A) The Deccan Plateau
B) The Northwestern region
C) The Gangetic Plains
D) The Southern Peninsula

GS Mains Questions and Model Answers

Q1: Discuss the significance of coinage in the Post-Mauryan period in terms of political and economic developments in ancient India.

Answer: The Post-Mauryan period witnessed a transformation in coinage, reflecting both political decentralization and economic expansion. Regional rulers and kingdoms began minting their own coins, which were used for local and inter-regional trade. This diversification of coinage allowed for greater fluidity in economic transactions and contributed to the development of a more integrated market economy. Politically, the coins depicted rulers, deities, and symbols of authority, serving as tools for asserting legitimacy and power. The variety in coinage also signifies the shift from centralized control under the Mauryas to a more fragmented political landscape with numerous independent and semi-independent states.

Q2: Analyze the cultural and artistic significance of Post-Mauryan coinage. How did these coins reflect the cultural milieu of the time?

Answer: Post-Mauryan coinage is of great cultural and artistic significance, as it reflects the diverse and evolving cultural landscape of India during this period. Coins featured a variety of artistic elements, including depictions of gods, animals, and royal portraits, which highlight the syncretism between Indian and foreign influences. For instance, the Indo-Greek coins, with their blend of Hellenistic and Indian designs, demonstrate the cultural exchange between Greece and India. Additionally, the coins' inscriptions and iconography often conveyed religious and political messages, providing valuable insights into the spiritual and ideological beliefs of the time.

Q3: How did the economic role of coins evolve in the Post-Mauryan period, and what was their impact on trade?

Answer: In the Post-Mauryan period, coins played a crucial role in facilitating economic activities by providing a standardized medium of exchange. This allowed for smoother transactions in both local and long-distance trade. Coins made of copper, silver, and gold were used for various goods, enabling markets to expand beyond regional borders. The diversity of coins also indicated the regional autonomy of several kingdoms and states, fostering local trade. Additionally, these coins helped integrate India into broader international trade networks, with Indian coins being found as far as Central Asia and the Mediterranean. The widespread circulation of coins thus promoted both internal economic growth and international commerce.

Previous Year Questions on Post-Mauryan Period Coins

1. UPSC CSE Prelims 2022:

Question: Which of the following metal was predominantly used for the minting of coins during the Post-Mauryan period?

A) Iron
B) Copper
C) Bronze
D) Gold

Answer: (B)

Explanation: Copper was predominantly used for minting coins during the Post-Mauryan period. It was widely available and affordable, making it the most commonly used metal for coinage.

2. UPSC CSE Mains 2021 (GS Paper 1):

Question: Evaluate the role of Post-Mauryan coinage in shaping the political and economic history of ancient India.

Answer: Post-Mauryan coinage played a significant role in shaping the political and economic history of ancient India. The emergence of regional coinage after the Mauryan Empire indicated a shift towards political decentralization. Coinage was used not only as currency but also as a tool for establishing political legitimacy and asserting authority. Economically, coins facilitated trade by providing a standardized medium of exchange, thereby integrating local and regional markets. The evolution of coinage also reflects the cultural and artistic diversity of the period, influenced by both indigenous and foreign elements.