Essay name: Archaeology and the Mahabharata (Study)
Author:
Gouri Lad
Affiliation: Deccan College Post Graduate And Research Institute / Department of AIHC and Archaeology
This study examines the Mahabharata from an archaeological perspective. The Maha-Bbharata is an ancient Indian epic written in Sanskrit—it represents a vast literary work with immense cultural and historical significance. This essay aims to use archaeology to verify and contextualize the Mahabharata's material aspects.
Chapter 16 - Coinage in the Mahabharata
3 (of 8)
External source: Shodhganga (Repository of Indian theses)
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= 608 travelled long distances to attend the Asvamedha of
Yudhisthira (XIV.91.7). Likewise when Dusyanta sought
to win over Sakuntala (1.67.3) or when Kicaka sought
Draupadi's favours (IV.21.10), both men offered niskas to
the women concerned. Once again, these tiny measures of
wealth were meant to pass hands in return for favours
Sought. The same was the case when Prince Uttara offered
a hundred niskas of the purest gold to Arjuna disguised
as Bá¹›hannada, only if she would let him flee the battle-
field (IV.36.39).
However, two or three important points have to
be taken into consideration before a judgement on niska
can be pronounced.
(i) Niska was not the only form in which gold
was distributed in the Mbh. It was given away as 'suvarṇa',
'rukma', 'hiranya', numbering a hundred, thousand, ten
thousand etc.
(I.191.18; II.30.51; 47.27; III.97.12).
These numbers immediately bring to mind some convenient
form of gold, probably nuggets, bars, pieces etc. which
could be counted in numbers.
Gold figures in the Mbh on various important
occasions when it was distributed amongst Brahmins (XIV.
10.33, 35; XV.47.17), when it was paid as a tribute from
one king to another (II.47.27, 48.11), when it came as
part of the dowry of a rich princess (1.213.46) and as one
of the highest stakes at a gambling bout (II.54.28).
