Paper Type |
: |
Research Paper |
Title |
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The Monetary Economy in Buddha Period
(Based On the Comparative Analysis of Literary and
Archaeological Sources) |
Country |
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India |
Authors |
: |
Dr. Anuradha Singh, Dr. Abhay Kumar |
|
: |
10.9790/0837-0761518 |
Abstract:Archaeology reveals that the sixth BC era was the time of secondary civilization. Many cities as
Shravasti, Saket, Ayodhya, Champa, Rajgriha, Kosambi and Varanasi described in Pali literature is indicative of
materialistic prosperity and rich town culture. These northeastern towns of India are connected by highways to
Takkasila in north, Pratishtha in south, Mrigukachha in west, Tamralipti in east and of central
Kanyakubza, Ujjayini, Mathura, Sankashya and many others places. These cities were inhabited by northern
black glittering earthen-pot culture. Peoples of this culture widely use iron make weapons and stricken coins.
These materialistic and archaeological relics exhibit their economic strength. Artisans and businessmen were
doing trading by forming union in cities. We came to know the eighteen categories of artisans. Contribution of
stricken coins was very important in trading and buying-selling by these categories. By the circulation of
stricken coins, trading was promoted significantly and trading becomes simplified. Various proofs of currency
circulation is found in Pali scriptures and it also came to knowledge that the payments of salaries and buying
was made by coins. The Buddha monks and nuns do not accept donation in form of currency. In this way it is
clear from the above descriptions that the circulation of currency undoubtedly present in the time of Buddha,
which is also described in Buddha literature and also confirmed with archaeological proofs in this Reseach
Paper.
[1] Sushil Kumar Shukla, Prachin Bharat mein daan ki sankalpana aur vyaohar, Banaras Hindu University, Unpublished research
dissertation, Chapter-5, pp. 98-162.
[2] D.R. Bhandarkar, Lectures on Ancient India numismatics, 1921, p. 109.
[3] C.A.F. Cambridge History India, Volume-1, Cambridge, 1922, p. 217.
[4] Yatindranath Bose, Social and Rural Economy of Northern India, Volume-1, Second edition, Kolkata, 1957, pp. 15 and forth.
[5] Hindi translation of Jataka, Bhadant Anand Kauslyayan, in six volumes, Hindi Sahitya Sammelan Prayag, vikrami Samvat 2013,
No. 540.
[6] Ibid, No. 288.
[7] Ibid, No. 4.
[8] "Na hi Tatth Kasi Atthigorakh Ettan Na Vijjati, Vanijja Tadisi Natthi Hiryannen Kay Nishkayam". Petavatthu, p. 3, Edited in Hindi
by Rahul Sanskrityayan, Anand Kauslyayan and Jagadish Kashyap, Mahabodhi Society, Sarnath, 1937.
[9] "Samantpasadika‟ Second Edition, p. 207, Reference of Vinaypitak, Edited by Buddhaghosh, J. Takakusu and S. Nagi, Palitechts
Society London, 1924-37.
[10] Panini "Ashtadhyayi‟ Sutra Panapaadmkhshtadyanta 4/1/34.