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Q84 (CDS-I/2016) History & Culture › Ancient India › Gupta period history Answer Verified

Which one among the following statements about the coins of the Gupta rulers is correct ?

Result
Your answer:  ·  Correct: C
Explanation

Gupta coinage represents a pinnacle of ancient Indian numismatic art. The obverse of these coins generally featured a portrait of the reigning king, often depicted in various activities such as performing a sacrifice, playing the lyre, or hunting [2]. For instance, Samudragupta is shown holding a scepter or placing an offering on an altar. The reverse typically featured a deity or a specific motif, such as the goddess Lakshmi seated on a lotus or the goddess Ganga on a crocodile [2]. While the coins contained legends in Brahmi script and Sanskrit, they did not always carry a date on the reverse; instead, they emphasized royal titles and religious symbols [1]. This design choice marked a transition from earlier Indo-Greek and Kushana styles by integrating indigenous religious imagery and royal portraiture.

Sources

  1. [2] Exploring Society:India and Beyond ,Social Science-Class VII . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 7: The Gupta Era: An Age of Tireless Creativity > LET'S REMEMBER > p. 151
  2. [1] History , class XI (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 7: The Guptas > III. Numismatic Sources > p. 90
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