THE GLITTERING TALE OF INDIAN GOLD

The story of gold in India is a rich and multifaceted narrative that spans millennia. It reflects the interplay of tradition, culture, and economics, weaving together a tale of enduring fascination and resilience.

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The story of India's gold obsession is one that has been told, retold, and told again. An obsession, a treasure, and a symbol of prosperity and purity, the age-old relationship between man and metal is etched in the filigree of gold. This is the story of how Gold became an essential ingredient in almost every Indian's investment portfolio.

ANCIENT INDIA

In the depths of antiquity, India stood at the forefront of gold consumption. As far back as 3000 BCE, gold-adorned temples, cascaded in the form of intricately crafted jewellery, and became a medium of exchange in bustling marketplaces, a symbol of prosperity.

However, it wasn't until the Gupta era (circa 4th-6th century CE) that gold began to glimmer as an investment tool.

The introduction of the coinage system brought 'mohurs' and 'dinars' to the forefront. And these coins weren't just pieces of gold; they were a currency of power, status, and opulence. Hoarding these golden marvels became a favourite pastime of kings, nobles, and the well-heeled.

As history sauntered on, and coinage became common-speak, the concept of gold investing underwent a transformation.

During the Mughal dynasty (16th-18th century CE), gold became a financial secret weapon! By introducing 'zabt' through the land revenue systems, and by levying trade taxes, the empire leveraged its golden ties to Iran and the Ottoman Empire, transforming gold investment into a dazzling dance of bullion markets, mint organisations, and fiscal measures.

BRITISH RAJ