Uttarakhand P.C.S. (Pre) 2012

Medieval Numismatics

Authentic Past Paper Standard Evaluation

After the downfall of the Delhi Sultanate, who was the first ruler to issue the gold coins?

Solution & Analysis

Answer: B

Concept The transition from the Delhi Sultanate to the Mughal Empire involved significant currency reforms aimed at stabilizing the economy through high-purity metal standards.

Explanation Humayun is credited as the first post-Sultanate ruler to issue gold coins. While Sher Shah Suri revolutionized the silver standard with the 'Rupiya,' Humayun focused on gold issues.

Logical Breakup
Logic 1: Humayun's gold coins laid the foundation for the later Mughal 'Mohur.'
Logic 2: Sher Shah Suri (Option D) is primarily famous for the silver Rupiya and the copper Dam, not for being the first to issue gold after the Sultanate.
Logic 3: Akbar (Option A) later perfected the trimetallic system, but Humayun preceded him in issuing gold.

Active Recall

Question

What were the primary denominations in the Mughal currency system?

Answer

The system was trimetallic: Gold Mohur, Silver Rupee (Rupiya), and Copper Dam.

Core Insight

Humayun's issuance of gold coins symbolized the sovereign aspirations of the fledgling Mughal dynasty in a competitive political landscape.