Shudras in Ancient India: A Social History of the Lower Order down to circa A.D. 600 c15.47

c15.47

Some indication of the date can be given on the basis of the references to coins in Manu. For various offences Manu prescribes fines in paṇas, and there is no doubt that the age of the Kuṣāṇas and Guptas saw an extensive use of coins. The standard Kuṣāṇa gold coin weighed 144 grains, which seems to be the equivalent of 80 kṛṣṇalas or rattis for a suvarṇa (coin) given in Manu.⁵ But the rate of interest recommended by Manu is higher than the rate in a Nasik inscription of the second century A.D.⁶