TOPIC INFO (UGC NET)
TOPIC INFO – UGC NET (History)
SUB-TOPIC INFO – History (UNIT 3)
CONTENT TYPE – Solved PYQs
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UGC NET HISTORY – Solved PYQs (UNIT 3)
1. Which one of the following is not correctly matched? (JUNE 2012)
(Ruler) – (Figure Shown on his Coin)
(1) Kumaragupta I : Chakra-purusa
(2) Kaniska : Ardokso
(3) Agathocles : Balarama
(4) Ksatrapa Rajuvula : Pallas
Answer: 1
The correct answer is (1) Kumaragupta I : Chakra-purusa.
The figure of Chakra-purusa, the personification of Vishnu’s Sudarshana Chakra, is famously associated with the coinage of Chandragupta II, not Kumaragupta I. On the rare “Chakra-vikrama” type gold coins, Chandragupta II is depicted receiving three round objects (symbolizing authority or divine favor) from a double-haloed figure representing the Chakra-purusa. Kumaragupta I is instead celebrated for his diverse range of coinage, most notably the “Kartikeya” or “Peacock” type, which depicts the deity Skanda-Kartikeya riding a peacock, and the “Ashvamedha” type, reflecting his performance of the Vedic horse sacrifice.
The other pairings are historically accurate and represent significant milestones in numismatic history. Kanishka I of the Kushan Empire utilized a wide array of deities on his coins to reflect the religious pluralism of his realm; the Iranian goddess Ardokso, the deity of fortune and fertility, was frequently depicted seated on a high-backed throne holding a cornucopia. The Indo-Greek King Agathocles is renowned for issuing some of the earliest coins featuring Hindu deities, specifically portraying Balarama-Samkarshana holding a heavy mace (gada) and a plow (hala), which serves as critical evidence for the early development of the Bhagavata cult. Finally, the Indo-Scythian Northern Satrap Rajuvula issued coins that were often imitations of the Indo-Greek style, prominently featuring the Greek goddess Pallas Athena (Pallas) holding a thunderbolt and a shield, a motif inherited from the coinage of rulers like Strato I to establish political legitimacy in the Mathura region.
2. Coins of Bhagilaya have been found from the following sites (DEC 2012)
I. Nashik
II. Kaushambi
III. Narmada Valley
IV. Godavari-Krishna Valley
Select the correct answer from the codes given below:
(1) I and II
(2) III and IV
(3) Only III
(4) Only IV
Answer: 3
The correct answer is (3) Only III.
The coins of Bhagilaya have been discovered mainly from the Narmada Valley, indicating that this ruler or local authority was connected with the central Indian region influenced by trade routes and early political formations around the Narmada basin. Numismatic evidence such as these coins is valuable because it helps historians identify lesser-known rulers, regional powers, and zones of commercial circulation where literary evidence is scarce.
The Narmada Valley was an important corridor linking western India, Malwa, the Deccan, and the Gangetic regions. Coin finds from this area often indicate active exchange networks and localized polities during the early historic period. Bhagilaya’s coins being concentrated here suggests a regional sphere of authority rather than a large empire.
The other locations listed—Nashik, Kaushambi, and the Godavari-Krishna Valley—are not the standard find-spots associated with Bhagilaya in historical numismatic references.
Therefore, the correct answer is Only III (Narmada Valley), which corresponds to Option (3).
3. The earliest available Indian coins were made of (JUNE 2013)
(1) Gold
(2) Silver
(3) Copper
(4) Copper and Silver
Answer: 2
The correct answer is (2) Silver.
The earliest available Indian coins are generally identified as the punch-marked coins, which began to circulate around the 6th century BCE in the age of the Mahajanapadas. These earliest coins were predominantly made of silver, usually in irregular shapes cut from silver sheets or bars and then stamped with a number of official symbols. Because of this manufacturing method, they are known as punch-marked coins.
These coins have been found across northern India at sites such as Taxila, Kaushambi, Pataliputra, and many other early urban centers. They usually bore symbols like the sun, geometric figures, animals, trees, hills, or other marks rather than portraits of rulers. Their widespread circulation reflects the growth of trade, taxation, urbanization, and state formation in ancient India.
Although copper coins also appeared in ancient India, especially cast copper issues and later regional coinages, the earliest standard coinage known in substantial quantity was silver punch-marked coinage. Gold coinage became prominent much later, especially under dynasties such as the Kushans and Guptas.
Therefore, the earliest available Indian coins were made of silver, making Option (2) the correct answer.
4. In connection with Satavahana coins, which one of the following statements is not correct? (JUNE 2013)
(1) They did not issue gold coins
(2) They issued gold coins
(3) They issued lead coins
(4) They issued potin coins
Answer: 2
The correct answer is (2) They issued gold coins.
The Satavahana Dynasty, which ruled large parts of the Deccan between roughly the 1st century BCE and 3rd century CE, issued a distinctive and regionally varied coinage. Their coins are especially known for being made of lead, copper, bronze, and potin (a base-metal alloy containing copper, tin, and lead). Lead coinage was particularly common in the Deccan due to local metal availability, and Satavahana lead coins are among the most characteristic features of their numismatic history.
Statement (1) They did not issue gold coins is generally accepted as correct in standard historical treatment. Unlike the Kushan Empire and later the Gupta Empire, the Satavahanas are not known for issuing regular state gold coinage. Gold coins found in Satavahana contexts are usually imports, imitations, or connected to external circulation rather than standard royal issues.
Statement (3) They issued lead coins is correct, since lead was one of their most commonly used metals. Statement (4) They issued potin coins is also correct, as potin coinage is well attested among Satavahana issues.
Therefore, the statement that is not correct is (2) They issued gold coins.