Class 7 Social Science Ch 11 From Barter to Money | Study Material (NCERT)

Economic Life Around Us
Ch 11: From Barter to Money
वस्तु विनिमय से मुद्रा तक


From Barter to Money – Detailed Notes (English)

In our daily life, we buy and sell many goods and services. We use money to pay for food, clothes, education, transport, and many other needs. However, money was not always used for trade. In ancient times, people followed a system called the barter system.

What is Barter System?

The barter system is a method of exchange in which goods and services are directly exchanged for other goods and services without using money. For example, a farmer might exchange wheat for clothes made by a weaver.

This system was common when human needs were limited and societies were small. People produced what they needed and exchanged extra goods with others.

Problems of Barter System

Although barter was useful in early societies, it had many limitations:

  • Double coincidence of wants: Both persons must want each other’s goods at the same time.
  • No common measure of value: It was difficult to decide how much of one good should be exchanged for another.
  • Difficulty in storing goods: Many goods like grains or vegetables could spoil.
  • Lack of divisibility: Some goods could not be divided into smaller parts.

Because of these problems, people gradually looked for a better system of exchange.

Origin of Money

Money was invented to overcome the difficulties of barter. Early forms of money included items like cattle, shells, beads, salt, and metals. Over time, metals like gold and silver became popular because they were durable and valuable.

Later, coins and paper currency were introduced by rulers and governments. Today, money is issued and regulated by governments and central banks.

Functions of Money

Money performs several important functions in an economy:

  • Medium of exchange: Money is used to buy and sell goods and services.
  • Unit of account: It helps measure the value of goods.
  • Store of value: Money can be saved for future use.
  • Standard of deferred payment: Money can be used to make payments in the future.

Types of Money

Money exists in different forms:

  • Commodity money: Items like gold, silver, or cattle.
  • Metallic money: Coins made of metal.
  • Paper money: Currency notes issued by governments.
  • Digital money: Online payments, cards, and UPI.

Modern Use of Money

In today’s world, money is not only physical. Digital payments, mobile banking, and online transactions are widely used. These methods are fast, safe, and convenient.


वस्तु विनिमय से मुद्रा तक – विस्तृत नोट्स (हिंदी)

हम अपने दैनिक जीवन में वस्तुओं और सेवाओं को खरीदने-बेचने के लिए मुद्रा (पैसा) का उपयोग करते हैं। लेकिन प्राचीन समय में मुद्रा का उपयोग नहीं होता था। उस समय वस्तु विनिमय प्रणाली प्रचलित थी।

वस्तु विनिमय प्रणाली क्या है?

वस्तु विनिमय प्रणाली वह प्रणाली है जिसमें वस्तुओं या सेवाओं का आदान-प्रदान बिना मुद्रा के किया जाता है। जैसे किसान गेहूं के बदले कपड़े ले सकता था।

यह प्रणाली तब उपयोगी थी जब समाज छोटा था और आवश्यकताएँ सीमित थीं।

वस्तु विनिमय की समस्याएँ

  • दोहरी आवश्यकता: दोनों पक्षों की आवश्यकता एक-दूसरे से मेल खानी चाहिए।
  • मूल्य मापन की कठिनाई: वस्तुओं का सही मूल्य तय करना कठिन था।
  • भंडारण की समस्या: कई वस्तुएँ जल्दी खराब हो जाती थीं।
  • विभाज्यता की कमी: कुछ वस्तुओं को बाँटना संभव नहीं था।

मुद्रा का विकास

इन समस्याओं के कारण मुद्रा का विकास हुआ। प्रारंभ में पशु, सीप, नमक, धातुएँ मुद्रा के रूप में प्रयोग की गईं। बाद में सिक्के और कागजी नोट आए।

मुद्रा के कार्य

  • विनिमय का माध्यम
  • मूल्य मापक
  • मूल्य का भंडार
  • भविष्य भुगतान का साधन

आधुनिक मुद्रा प्रणाली

आज डिजिटल भुगतान, यूपीआई, डेबिट-क्रेडिट कार्ड और मोबाइल बैंकिंग का प्रयोग बढ़ गया है। यह प्रणाली तेज, सुरक्षित और सुविधाजनक है।


Question–Answer Section

A. Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)

  1. Barter system means exchange without money.
  2. Which system requires double coincidence of wants?
  3. Which is a function of money?
  4. Which was used as early money?
  5. Digital money example is UPI.
  6. Which is not a function of money?
  7. Coins are example of metallic money.
  8. Who issues currency in India?
  9. Money helps in saving value.
  10. Which system replaced barter?

B. True or False

  1. Barter system uses money. (False)
  2. Money is a store of value. (True)
  3. Gold was never used as money. (False)
  4. Digital payments are modern money. (True)
  5. Barter system had no problems. (False)
  6. Money helps in trade. (True)
  7. Coins are divisible. (True)
  8. Paper money is issued by government. (True)
  9. Money cannot be saved. (False)
  10. UPI is part of barter system. (False)

C. Short Answer Questions

Q1. What is barter system?
Ans: It is exchange of goods without using money.

Q2. Name one problem of barter system.
Ans: Double coincidence of wants.

Q3. Why was money introduced?
Ans: To remove problems of barter.

Q4. What is digital money?
Ans: Money used through electronic methods.

Q5. Give two functions of money.
Ans: Medium of exchange and store of value.

Q6. Name two early forms of money.
Ans: Cattle and shells.

Q7. What is paper money?
Ans: Currency notes issued by government.

Q8. Why is money important?
Ans: It makes trade easy.

Q9. What is unit of account?
Ans: Measuring value of goods.

Q10. Write one advantage of digital money.
Ans: Fast transactions.

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