Rajasthan’s archaeological sites have uncovered a wealth of punch-mark coins dating from 600 BC to 1000 BC, offering valuable insights into a largely unexplored period in Indian history. This era, known as the “Dark Age,” spans the time between the fall of the Indus Valley Civilisation and the advent of Lord Buddha.
A retired numismatist, Zafar Ullah Khan, from the Rajasthan Department of Archaeology and Museology, presented his research on this topic at the National Numismatics Conference in Meerut on December 5. He highlighted significant coin discoveries at key sites such as Ahar (Udaipur), Kalibanga (Hanumangarh), Viratnagar (Jaipur), and Jankipura (Tonk). These findings shed light on a vibrant trade network that once thrived across the region. Khan also pointed out the similarities between Rajasthan’s coins and those discovered throughout India, from Peshawar to Kanyakumari. During his career, he studied over 2,000 coins from this period, offering valuable insights into the economic and cultural exchanges of the time.
The coins, featuring symbols like the Sun, Shadchakra, and Mountains/Meru, were made from metals such as silver and copper. Each coin had a standardised weight of 3.3 grams.
Noteworthy discoveries were made in Tonk, where 3,300 coins were unearthed in 1935, and in Sikar, with 2,400 coins found in 1998. Metallurgical tools discovered in these areas show similarities to those found in Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, and Peshawar, suggesting a connection to a larger cultural and trade network.
“In his paper, Khan noted that Chinese travelers Fa-Hien (399-414 CE), Sunyan (518 CE), and Hiuen-Tsang (629 CE) had documented ruins in these regions, indicating their historical importance. These accounts, along with the archaeological findings, deepen our understanding of a lost era and highlight Rajasthan’s role in ancient trade.”
“AK Jagdhari, the retired director of the department who conducted extensive research on these coins, emphasised the importance of further surveys at these Rajasthan sites to shed light on this lost chapter of Indian history.”
“Given that many sites from the same era are now located in Pakistan, the prospects for their excavation are limited, making Rajasthan a key link in unraveling the mysteries of this ancient period.”
“The region’s trade history, akin to the significance of the Silk Route, is further underscored by the ongoing discovery of coins from the Gupta dynasty, Malavas, and Janapadas, highlighting Rajasthan’s pivotal economic and cultural role,” said Jagdhari.
The department has collected more than 2.21 lakh ancient coins, including 7,180 punch-marked specimens, all curated under the Rajasthan Treasure Trove Rules of 1961. These discoveries offer valuable insights into Rajasthan’s historical and economic significance.
