What is the currency of India and Pakistan as well as a few other Asian countries?

The story behind the answer

The currency shared by India and Pakistan is the rupee—specifically the Indian Rupee (INR, symbol ₹) and the Pakistani Rupee (PKR, symbol Rs/₨). Several other South Asian countries also use rupees, including Nepal (NPR) and Sri Lanka (LKR).

“Rupee” comes from the Sanskrit rupya, meaning “wrought silver,” reflecting its origin as a silver coin in medieval India. Memory tip: “Rupee rules the subcontinent”—think India, Pakistan, Nepal, Sri Lanka. In contrast, dinar and riyal are common in the Middle East, and peso is used in many Spanish-influenced countries and the Philippines—so “rupee” points you to South Asia.