Prelims 2026 · Ancient History · Question 3
Consider the following statements :<br/><br/>I. Pali texts contain the first definite references to coins, e.g., **kahapana**, **nikkha**, **kamsa**, and **kakanika**.<br/>II. The literary evidence from Pali texts is corroborated by archaeological evidence of punch-marked coins from many sites, most of them made of silver.<br/><br/>The above statements have been associated with which of the following ?<br/><br/>1. Emergence of urban life<br/>2. Transition to money economy<br/><br/>Select the answer using the code given below :<br/>
Answer
Both 1 and 2
The references to coins in Pali texts, backed by widespread finds of mostly silver punch-marked coins, point to monetization as well as expanding trade-linked urbanism. So these statements are associated with both the emergence of urban life and the transition to a money economy.