Coinage of Central India: with Special Reference to Early Coins from the Narmada

Coins have played a major role in the reconstruction of the history and culture of our country. They unfold those aspects on which contemporary evidences like inscriptions, literature, art and archaeological remains are silent. During the ancient period, Central India – comprising the modern states of Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh – came under the rule of the Mahajanapadas, the Nandas, the Mauryas, the Surigas, the Satavahanas, the Sakas, the Ksatrapas, the Nagas, the Kusanas, the Guptas and their feudatories, the Hunas, the Vardhanas, the Chalukyas, the Kalachuris, the Rashtrakutas, the Gurjara Pratiharas, the Paramaras, the Chandellas, the Kachchhapaghatas, the Nalas and other local dynasties. Numismatics, being a very important source material, has been fruitfully utilized for the reconstruction of the ancient history and culture of Central India from the times of the Mauryas to c. 13th century AD.