UPSC Prelims 2026 · GS Paper 1 · Set DAncient HistoryQ 13 / 100

UPSC Prelims 2026 GS Paper — Question 13

Question

Consider the following statements : I. Pali texts contain the first definite references to coins, e.g., kahapana, nikkha, kamsa, and kakanika. II. The literary evidence from Pali texts is corroborated by archaeological evidence of punch-marked coins from many sites, most of them made of silver. The above statements have been associated with which of the following ? 1. Emergence of urban life 2. Transition to money economy Select the answer using the code given below :

(a)1 only
(b)2 only
(c)Both 1 and 2
(d)Neither 1 nor 2

Subject

Ancient History

Topic Reference

Ancient History — Early coinage and urbanisation

UnlockIAS assessed: (c) · Both statements

UnlockIAS evidence-based analysis

Why it looks disputed: Whether sixth-century-BCE coinage attaches to "second urbanisation" or to a "money economy" splits answers.

Sixth-century-BCE coinage marks both the second urbanisation and the money economy; R.S. Sharma treats the Pali coin terms and silver punch-marked coins in that combined context. Both statements hold — (c).

R.S. Sharma

See the full Set D disputed-questions analysis

UnlockIAS assessment from primary / official sources, prepared 24 May 2026 — pending the official UPSC provisional answer key.

Official answer awaiting UPSC provisional key

UPSC has announced (PIB Release 2262441, 18 May 2026) that the provisional answer key for CSE Prelims 2026 will be released “soon after Exam”. Until then, compare this question against multiple coaching institute keys on the UPSC Prelims 2026 Answer Key page and join the per-question discussion below to see what other aspirants think.

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Official Notification

PIB Release 2262441

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