Indian Coins, Cities, Crafts and Craftsmen

Introduction

Ancient India has the roots of many practices and the culture that we practice and follow today. In this tutorial, we’ll be tracing the roots of a few parts of our civilization - Coins, Cities with many functions, Crafts, and Craftsmen.

Coins

By researchers, records of millions of coins are found in the ancient Indian history. They found that coins marked by punches were the first coinage system and circulation of these coins remained for roughly 500 years. Because the pattern or designs were punched into the metal – copper or silver — they are given this name i.e. The Punched Coin.

Punch Marked Coins

In Ancient India, the most traditional type of currency was formed through the circulation of punch-marked coins, which were generally made of silver and occasionally copper. They were occasionally square, occasionally round, but mostly rectangular. The metallic sections of punch-marked coins were imprinted with symbols, according to Panini's Ashtadhyayi. A 'Ratti,' which weighed 0.11 grams, was the name given to each unit and the first evidence of Ratti is traced back between the 6th and 2nd century BC.

Punch Marked Coins issued by Mahajanapadas

In the 6th century BC, various Mahajanapadas created punch-marked coins. Karshapanas, Puranas, and Panas, the very first local punch-marked coins, were made by the Indo-Gangetic Plain's Janpadas and Mahajanpadas. These coins came in a variety of sizes, weights, and patterns, including a Swastika in Dakshin Panchalaa humped bull in Saurashtra, and five symbols in Magadha.

In the entire Asia, particularly in the South Asia, punch-marked Magadhan coins became the most popular and extensively used currency - the evidence for this can be found in Buddhist Jataka and Manusmriti, and they longed in the south for 300 years longer than in the north.

Punch Marked Coins issued by Mauryan Period

Punch markings were employed on currency in 322–185 BC, during the Mauryan Period. In his Arthashastra treatise, Kautilya popularly known as Chanakya talks of the minting of punch-marked coins such as the suvarnarupa (gold), Tamra rupa (copper), rupya rupa (silver), and sisa rupa (silver). The sun and the six-armed wheel were the most common emblems among the many that were utilized. The coinage, called Karshapanas, was 32 rattis in weight and contained 50 to 54 grains of silver on average.

Cities

A single town was frequently important for a multitude of reasons. Consider the city of Mathura as an example as during the ancient times, Mathura was a significant urban center.

• It served as Kushanas' political and administrative center. It was a religious hotspot with several temples and monasteries. Its riches were enhanced by its excellent location on a commerce route and it also served as a center for the arts and crafts. Mathura specialized in the creation of world-class sculptures.

• The city of Mathura was established before the first century CE when the Kushan empire reigned. And in the second century, the city became an attraction for Jains and Buddhists. Maḥmūd of Ghazna pillaged Mathura in 1017–18, and it was sacked four times between 1500 and 1757. Next Britishers annexed the city in 1804.

• For almost 2500 years, Mathura remained a significant settlement as it was situated at the border of two main commerce and travel routes, one from north to the south, and the other from the northwest to the east. The city was surrounded by walls and temples. Farmers and herders from the neighboring areas fed the city's inhabitants. Mathura was also known for producing some of the best sculptures in the world.

• In Mathura, inscriptions have been discovered on a variety of surfaces, including stone slabs and sculptures. These are usually brief inscriptions that memorialize contributions made to monasteries and shrines by men (and occasionally by women). The monarchs, city's queens and kings, officers, merchants, and crafters created them. Inscriptions from Mathura, for example, refer to goldsmiths, weavers, blacksmiths, garland makers, basket makers, and perfumers.

Crafts and Craftsmen

Archaeological evidence from Ancient Indian history reveals the origins of crafts and the artisans who made a living doing so. The Northern Black Polished Ware or NBPW, for example, is exceedingly exquisite pottery. It gets its name from the fact that it is usually found in the Indian subcontinent's northern region. It has a delicate gloss and is generally black in color. It's important to acknowledge that archaeological evidence for many trades and work may have perished. We know from writings that fabric production was essential.

Varanasi was a well-known center and hub of many activities in the north, while Madurai was a well-known center in the south. Both women and men worked at these facilities and Shreni was the name given to guilds or associations of artisans and merchants.

Shrenis were commercial groups made up of merchants, dealers, and artists. Every economic activity and craft is said to have its own set of rules, procedures, and traditions that establish high standards and a distinct style. It was widely recognized that these talents needed to be passed down the generations, from forefathers to sons, and then to their sons. As a result, a Shreni might be characterized as a group of people who were committed to acquiring and perfecting their talents in a certain profession or specialty.

Conclusion

The goal is to transfer the traditions of the vocation and trade secrets to the coming generations. Some Shrenis gained popularity over time in ancient India, and as a result, they were financed by a number of monarchs and patrons. As a result, they became wealthier and began to operate as learning centers, able to independently sponsor and financially support activities such as the construction of religious structures or the holding of meetings for the promotion of their cause or something they sincerely believed in. Also in the communities, daughters were not permitted to join the Shreni because they were likely to reveal trade secrets to their husband's family after they married.

FAQs

Qns 1 − What was the name given to the associations of the craftsperson and merchants?

Ans. The associations of crafts persons and merchants were known as Shrenis.

Qns 2 − When was the City of Mathura established?

Ans. The city of Mathura was established before the first century CE when the Kushan empire reigned. It served as the capital of the Kushan empire.

Qns 3 − Mention the most prominent symbol on the punched coins.

Ans. Among the several symbols used on the punched coins, the sun and the six-armed wheel were the most persistent.

Qns 4 − How punched coins get their name?

Ans. Because the pattern or designs were punched into the metal – copper or silver —they were given this name.