During the Vedic Age in ancient India, the use of coins, though not as prevalent as in later periods, was not entirely unknown. Terms like Suvarna, Shatamana, and Nishka were used to refer to these forms of currency. The term "nishka" appears in ancient texts such as the Atharvaveda (5.14.3), where it denotes a necklace made of nishka, which could either be a gold coin or a thin plate of gold. Additionally, in the Rig Veda (2.33.10), there's a mention of Rudra wearing a "Vishvarupa Nishka," which were golden pieces stamped with various figures.
To understand the value of a nishka, one can refer to a
system of weights used during that time:
- The weight of 5 liquorice seeds was considered equivalent to 1 masha.
- 16 mashas made up 1 suvarna.
- And finally, 108 suvarnas were equivalent to 1 nishka.
It's also worth noting that "Dinara" appears to be
another term used interchangeably with nishka, likely indicating a form of
currency or a denomination of value within the economic system of the Vedic
Age. This system provided a basic framework for transactions and trade,
facilitating economic activities within the society of that era.