Jharkhand P.C.S. (Pre) 2016

Currency Reforms in Medieval India

Authentic Past Paper Standard Evaluation

The pure silver 'rupiya' was issued by

Solution & Analysis

Answer: B

Concept Sher Shah Suri (reigned 1540–1545) was a brilliant administrator whose economic reforms, particularly in currency, set the standard for the later Mughal Empire.

Explanation Sher Shah replaced the debased mixed-metal (billon) tanka with a high-quality pure silver coin weighing 178 grains (approx 11 grams), which he called the Rupiya.

Logical Breakup

Logic 1: This silver Rupiya became the basis for the Indian currency and was adopted with little change by the Mughal Emperor Akbar.

Logic 2: He also introduced the copper Dam for small transactions and standardized the gold Mohur, creating a balanced trimetallic system.

Active Recall

Question

What was the significance of the 178-grain weight of the Rupiya?

Answer

It established a highly trusted standard of purity and weight that was so effective it remained the basis for Indian coinage through the British era.

Core Insight

The 'Rupiya' is one of Sher Shah Suri's most enduring legacies, surviving through various regimes to become the name of India's modern currency.

The pure silver 'rupiya' was issued by

Solution & Analysis

Active Recall

Core Insight

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