On December 1, 2015, Reserve Bank of India (RBI) officially put an end to the barter system of trading along the Indo-Myanmar border. Further readings: Indian Economy Notes for UPSC Civil Service Exam. Monetary Policy – Objectives, Role, Instruments.
The barter system existed before money came into existence. A variety of commodities were used to facilitate exchange. The limitations of the barter system led to the development of money as a medium of exchange. Forms of money evolved through time, such as shells, coins, and paper currency.
In summary, while barter trade is not expressly prohibited by Indian laws, it is subject to the same regulations governing international trade, customs, and foreign exchange.
Evolution of money from Barter System to Digital Payment Methods
Does the barter system still exist?
Absolutely. The use of a cashless exchange system is still flourishing today. Examples of modern forms of bartering include time banking, childcare cooperatives, and house-sitting.
Under Section 269ST of the Income Tax Act, 1961, if you receive more than ₹2 lakh in cash from a single person in one transaction or multiple transactions related to the same event, you could be hit with a 100% penalty!
Overall, the barter system has been in use for thousands of years and its decline in popularity has been a gradual process rather than a specific end date.
In today's peer-to-peer communities — like those formed by creators, artisans, and coders — bartering is starting to resurface. These groups often prefer direct exchange over traditional market systems, valuing services and goods without needing currency to validate their worth.
What was the biggest reason why the barter system failed?
The barter system, which was once the cornerstone of economic transactions, eventually fell out of favor due to its inherent limitations. The primary reasons for its failure are the challenges associated with the double coincidence of wants and the lack of a common measure of value.
The barter system predates the existence of currency, and India has a long-standing tradition of bartering. Ancient Indian civilizations, such as the Indus Valley Civilization (2600-1900 BCE), practiced barter extensively.
The problems associated with the barter system are inability to make deferred payments, lack of common measure value, difficulty in storage of goods, lack of double coincidence of wants. You can read about the Monetary System – Types of Monetary System (Commodity, Commodity-Based, Fiat Money) in the given link.
Money replaced the barter system because it had several limitations. For instance, it lacked flexibility and it was difficult to ascertain the value of a commodity. Additionally, the mismatch in the value of goods inhibited smooth transactions.
An example of a barter system is selling rice to purchase wheat. One cannot carry forward the wealth in the barter system because one cannot store surplus rice for long periods of time as rice is a perishable item.
The barter system predominated in the Early Vedic Period, when exchanges involved little to no monetary value transactions. Despite this, the barter system continued to be used. With the introduction of coinage at that time, known as Krishnala, it was mainly replaced by the trade of gold and silver coins.
How much cash is allowed to be kept at home in India?
There is no law restricting the amount of cash you can store in your house. However, if you are found to have a large amount of cash without a clear, legitimate source, it could be treated as undisclosed income. This could lead to serious consequences, including penalties, fines, and even legal action.
Banks must report cash deposits of more than $10,000. Banks may also choose to report suspicious transactions like frequent large cash deposits. Large cash deposit reporting regulations exist to catch fraud and illegal activity. You may incur a fine or penalty if the bank reports your deposit before you do.
Being paid cash in hand is not necessarily illegal, but it can be if you do not declare it to HMRC. This is because you are legally obliged to pay Income Tax and National Insurance on your earnings. However, if you are only being paid a small amount, making a declaration to HMRC may not be necessary.
Bartering, the ancient and original form of trading used before the introduction of legal tender, allows parties to dispense with cash but still be able to acquire the goods and services they require. Tough economic times across the globe have seen an increase in trading by bartering. Bartering is making a comeback!
The limitations of barter are often explained in terms of its inefficiencies in facilitating exchange in comparison to money. It is said that barter is 'inefficient' because: There needs to be a 'double coincidence of wants' For barter to occur between two parties, both parties need to have what the other wants.
Money is better than the barter system because; it is durable, portable, interchangeable, easily divisible into smaller units, and is universally recognized by most people.
Centuries old annual barter trade takes place in Assam. This mela is known as Joon Beel Mela. People from Assam, Arunachal Pradesh and Meghalaya take part in this 3 day annual fair, where commodities are exchanged through the barter system.
How did money solve the problem of the barter system?
Use of money overcomes the drawbacks of barter system of exchange in the following manner: i With the introduction of money double coincidence of wants is no longer needed. ii Money facilitates storage of value which is difficult in barter system.
