UPSC CSE Pre 1993

Economic Evolution in Ancient India

Authentic Past Paper Standard Evaluation

During the Rigvedic Period word 'Nishka' was used for a Jewellery but in later period it was used for the meaning of:

Solution & Analysis

Answer: D

Concept Terms in ancient history often evolve from denoting physical objects to representing abstract economic values or standardized units of measure.

Explanation In the Rigveda, 'Nishka' refers to a gold necklace or ornament. By the Later Vedic and Buddhist periods, it transitioned into a measure of weight and eventually a term for a gold coin.

Logical Breakup
Logic 1: Originally, a Nishka was a piece of jewelry worn on the neck.
Logic 2: As trade became more complex, standardized gold ornaments like Nishka began to be used as a medium of exchange.
Logic 3: By the Mauryan period, Nishka became a formal term for a specific denomination of coin, playing a crucial role in the imperial economy.

Active Recall

Question

How did 'Nishka' transition from jewelry to currency?

Answer

Its standardized weight and value as a gold ornament made it a convenient unit for barter, which eventually led to its use as a precursor to formal coinage.

Core Insight

The evolution of Nishka reflects the increasing sophistication of the Indian economy from tribal pastoralism to urban commercialism.