85-Year-Old Recounts India's Currency Journey: From Cowries to Rupee

• Kunti Devi, 85, from Jehanabad, shares India's currency evolution from 'kaudi' to rupee.
• The journey began with 'kaudi' (cowries), then 'damri', 'dhela', 'anna', 'paisa', and finally the rupee.
• Cowries, small sea shells, were prevalent in South India, used for trade, their value based on scarcity.
• Kunti Devi recalls pre-independence era challenges, where 'anna' had significant purchasing power for items like biscuits.
• She explains the proverb "I don't even have a broken cowrie," signifying absolute destitution, highlighting 'phooti kaudi' as the smallest currency.

Why It Matters: An 85-year-old woman vividly illustrates India's currency evolution from ancient shells to modern rupee.