RAS question
The Gupta gold coins were called:
Correct answer: (C) Dinar.
Gupta gold coins were called dinars, or dinaras in Gupta inscriptions.
Explanation
The Gupta gold coins were called dinars. IGNOU eGyanKosh, Unit 6: The Rise of Guptas: Economy, Society and Polity states that the Guptas issued the largest number of gold coins in ancient India and that these coins were called dinaras in their inscriptions. This directly supports option C. The standard exam context is that Gupta gold coinage was influenced by Roman coinage; Samudragupta's coins include the well-known type showing him playing the veena; and Chandragupta I issued early Gupta gold coins linked to his Lichchhavi alliance. IGNOU eGyanKosh also supports that alliance point by describing Chandragupta I's king-queen type gold coins with Kumaradevi and the legend referring to the Lichchhavis.
Why the other options are wrong
- (A) Tanka does not fit Gupta gold coinage because it was a silver coin associated with the Delhi Sultanate, not the Gupta period.
- (B) Mohur is wrong here because it was a Mughal gold coin, while the Gupta gold coins were called dinars.
- (D) Nishka is not the answer because it belongs to the Vedic-era gold-unit context, not to Gupta gold coins recorded as dinaras.
Concept
This tests ancient Indian numismatics, especially the ability to match coin names with dynasties and periods. RAS repeats such facts because coins are compact evidence for economy, polity, chronology and cultural contacts.