History and Doctrines of the Ajivikas: A Vanished Indian Religion c9.s1.15

c9.s1.15

By this time a city civilization had developed in the Ganges valley, beside the immemorial culture of the villages; numerous towns, which must have existed at the time of the Buddha, are mentioned in the earliest Buddhist scriptures. A high standard of luxury was enjoyed by kings, nobles, and merchants, and many of the latter had amassed very large fortunes. Punch-marked coins were probably in use, and writing was known, but not widely used.