how are coins and inscriptions helpful in the study of history
Answers
Coins:
Recently historians attach much importance to the coins as source materials for the reconstruction of ancient Indian history. For the study of coins reveal such information which no other sour does.
For example, the metal or alloy of metals used in the coins give us an idea about the advancement made in metallurgy during the contemporary period.
Coins also throw light on the economic history. Distribution of coins is an indication that the economic activities under a particular king or kings had been extended to the areas.
Again the coins in which names of kings have been mentioned enable us to know about the chronology of a ruling dynasty.
The Kushana kings had circulated different types of coins in which not only the name but also the year of accession has been mentioned.
This has enabled us to fix the dates of various Kushana kings who ruled over India. The coins are also helpful in reconstructing the cultural history of a particular period.
Thus the importance of coins can hardly be minimized.
Inscriptions:
Inscriptions are an important source of knowledge about ancient India. Inscription may be of different types such as stone, rock, pillar or copper.
The ancient Indian kings often inscribe stone and copper inscriptions to commemorate their victories in battle field or in remembrance of important events of their reign.
Obviously the inscriptions are helpful in forming a clear idea about the socio-religious life of contemporary India.
For example, the pillar and rock inscriptions of Asoka are the most authoritative source of the history of that Maurya Emperor.
Moreover, the victories of Kharvela, the king of Kalinga, king Rudradamana and the Gupta emperor Samudragupt, have been known mostly from the information supplied by their inscriptions.
Hope it is helpful.