How are coins and inscriptions helpful in the reconstruction of early indian history? Explain.
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Answer:
Coins & inscriptions As Source of history writing - The ancient Indian history writing suffers from the defects of lack of organised history writing defying Chronological reconstruction for the historians.
Though Puranas contribute to historical accounting but its Contents are largely encyclopediac and mythological, several other sources like Religious literature too falls short of throwing light on chronological efficiency.
In such a literary Shortfall, Coinage and inscriptions play a major role in reconstruction of ancient Indian history.
Coinage of ancient times is one of the biggest Source of understanding the contemporary Socio-politico-economic conditions prevelant during the times when such coins were issued.
Punch marked coins were the earliest issued during the 2nd and I st century BC followed by Gold Silver and copper Coins of various ruling groups like Indo-Greeks , Sakas, Kushanas, etc.
Largest number of gold Coins were issued during the Guptas and purest gold Coins by Kushanas , which reflects prosperous trade and Sound economy . This trend reversed in Iatter times indicating decline in trade & Comm.
Coins bore the date and name of Kings dynasties and even pictures of deities Kings Queens etc. providing valuable information of contemporary times. Majority of Ancient historical reconstruction after 1st Century BC has been a product of discovery of hoards of ancient Coins.
Similarly inscriptions too acted as a principle source in understanding ancient history. They are discovered in form of seals Plates rocks etc., sometimes they were engraved in Caves, temples Pillars etc.
Inscriptions provide information about general policies of Kings, thier adminstrative structure, official Orders etc.throwing light on Contemporary times and politico-religious-economic practices.
various inscriptions Like Ashokan Rock and Pillar edicts , Allahbad prashasti of Samudra Gupt, Aihole ins, Girnar ins of Rudra Daman . , Mand Saur ins, Gwalior ins. etc. are benchmarks in Indian Ancient historical reconstruction.
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