Question

Among the four dynasties listed below which one minted coins made of lead?
A) Mauryas
B) Satavahanas
C) Western Kshatrapas
D) Guptas

Answer 1

Hint: India's coinage started from the early 1st millennium BCE to the 6th century BCE, and in its initial period consisted mostly of copper and silver coins. A pre-existing type of token currency that was already present in the kingdoms of Janapadas and Mahajanapada was added to the stamped currency.

Complete answer: Option A- The Reign under Mauryas was very flourishing in terms of trade and commerce. Agricultural productivity too reached the zenith under them. They had a system or private entities which were for their own benefit. However, this option is incorrect.
Option B- An ancient Indian dynasty centred in the Deccan region was often referred to as the Andhras in the Puranas they are also referred to as Satavahanas. Their first ruler, according to the Puranas, overthrew the Kanva dynasty. The Satavahanas built peace in the Deccan region in the post- Mauryan period and resisted the onslaught of foreign invaders. The Satavahanas, beginning with King Gautamiputra Satakarni, a tradition derived from that of the Western Kshatrapas he defeated, were the first Indian rulers to issue their own coins with portraits of their rulers. These coins do not have a standardised design or size and indicate that there were several minting locations within the territory of Satavahana, leading to regional coinage variations. They were printed in Prakrit dialect and were minted in portrait style in lead and copper. This option is the correct answer.
Option C- The Western Kshatrapas, were related to the Kushans who controlled the northern part of the Indian subcontinent and were probably their kings, as well as the Satavahana (Andhra) who ruled Central India. Their coinage was based on Greek mythology, hence this option is incorrect.
Option D- Gupta empire was established In around 275 AD, the Gupta Empire came into power. It marked the end of 500 hundred years of provincial powers' dominance and the ensuing disquiet that started with the Mauryas' collapse. This option is not correct.
Therefore, option B is correct.

Note: Kingdoms like Kuru, Panchala, Magadha and many others minted their own coins in gold, copper and silver, as a vast variety of minted coins can be excavated from the Deccan region of India. In the 2nd millennium, the practice of Indian coinage emerged with Indo Islamic rule in India and the British Raj in the 19th century.