2022 · Q7
Which one of the following statements about coins struck during 200 BCE to 300 CE in the Indian subcontinent is not correct?
history-of-indiamauryan-gupta
- AThe Indo-Greeks introduced bilingual and biscript legends on their coins.
- BThe Kushanas minted large quantities of gold coins as well as copper coins of low denomination.
- CThe Satavahanas issued coins of silver, copper, lead and potin.
- DAbsence of Negama coins suggests the declining power and authority of merchant guilds.
Explanation
Statement D is not correct: 'Negama' coins were issued by merchant guilds (nigamas/shrenis), and their absence from the numismatic record cannot validly be read as evidence of declining guild power and authority — the inference is ahistorical. Statement A is true: the Indo-Greeks introduced bilingual and biscript (Greek–Prakrit) legends on coins. Statement B is true: the Kushanas minted large quantities of gold coins alongside low-denomination copper coins. Statement C is true: the Satavahanas issued coins in silver, copper, lead and potin. Hence option D.