Consider the following statements regarding the structural features of the Second Urbanization in ancient India:
1. It was driven by advanced intensive iron metallurgy in the middle Gangetic plains and was characterized by Northern Black Polished Ware pottery.
2. Unlike the Bronze Age Indus civilization, this urban phase witnessed the widespread stabilization of metallic punch-marked coins as a standard currency.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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Accepted Answer

Both statements are correct. The Second Urbanization (c. 600 BCE onwards) was anchored in the iron age technology of the Ganga basin, enabling forest clearance and deep tillage. Crucially, while the Indus civilization relied fully on commodity barter, the Mahajanapadas phase introduced a sophisticated monetary economy driven by silver and copper punch-marked coins.

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