____________ coin depicted a Shaka ruler in c. fourth-century CE.
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 3
The correct answer is Option (3) → Silver
A silver coin of about the fourth century CE depicts a Shaka ruler. The Shakas came from Central Asia and were regarded by the Brahmanas as mlechchhas, outsiders. Yet Rudradaman, the best-known Shaka ruler, had one of the earliest Sanskrit inscriptions made, recording how he rebuilt the Sudarshana lake.
NCERT (2025-26): “3.2 Non-Kshatriya kings … Other rulers, such as the Shakas who came from Central Asia, were regarded as mlechchhas, barbarians or outsiders by the Brahmanas. However, one of the earliest inscriptions in Sanskrit describes how Rudradaman, the best-known Shaka ruler (c. second century CE ), rebuilt Sudarshana lake (Chapter 2). This suggests that powerful mlechchhas were familiar with Sanskritic traditions.…”
Fig. 3.5 Silver coin depicting a Shaka ruler, c. fourth century CE |
