Previous Year Question
With reference to Chandragupta-II, which of the following statements is/are correct?
The strongest evidence in the context of Shaka Victory is the silver coins of this King.
The weight of these coins used to be about 33 grains.
Select the correct answer from the code given below:
Only 1
Both 1 and 2
Only 2
Neither 1 nor 2
Correct Answer: B
Detailed Solution
Statement 1 is correct. The silver coins of Chandragupta II constitute extremely important numismatic evidence of his victory over the Shakas or Western Kshatrapas. Among the Gupta rulers, Chandragupta II was the first to issue silver coins on a substantial scale.
The design of these silver coins closely resembled the earlier coinage of the Western Kshatrapas. The Western Kshatrapas ruled regions including Gujarat, Kathiawar and western Malwa. Chandragupta II's adoption of the currency system already circulating in these regions after defeating them provides strong evidence of the change in political authority.
These coins generally carry a portrait of Chandragupta II on one side, while the other usually bears the symbol of Garuda together with a Brahmi legend associated with the Gupta ruler. The adaptation of Western Kshatrapa coin designs combined with Gupta symbols reflects the establishment of the new authority in the conquered western territories.
Statement 2 is also correct. The standard weight of Chandragupta II's western-style silver coins is generally taken to have been about 33 grains, or approximately 2.1 grams. This weight was close to the silver coinage standard of the Western Kshatrapas.
In practice, not every surviving coin has exactly the same weight. For example, some silver coins of Chandragupta II preserved in the British Museum weigh approximately 1.87 grams and 1.99 grams. Thus, 33 grains should be understood as an approximate or standard weight rather than an absolutely identical weight for every individual specimen.
IGNCA material on ancient currency also states that silver coinage among the Guptas began with Chandragupta II after his defeat of the Western Shaka Satraps and that his silver coins were modelled on the weight and fabric of the Satrapal currency.