The earliest evidence of Banking transactions in India comes from __:

• A. Medieval India
• B. Maurya Era
• C. Vedic Era
• D. Gupta Era

Answer: (C)

Earliest evidence of Banking in India is found from the period of Vedic Civilization. During those days, loan deeds called rnapatra (ऋणपत्र) or rnalekhya (ऋणलेख्य) were prevalent. Interest rates as well as usury (सूदखोरी) was prevalent in Vedic India. The Vedic word Kusidin refers to an usurer (सूदखोर).This term is also found in Manusmriti.