Old Coins: Princely States

• Featured today: coins representing the rich history of Indian princely states before and during British rule.

1. Awadh State Coin

• Period: 1263-1272 (Islamic calendar, likely 1847-1855 AD)

• Mint: Lucknow

• Ruler: Wajid Ali Shah (the last Nawab of Awadh)

• Details: This coin was issued during the rule of Wajid Ali Shah, the last ruler of the Awadh kingdom before its annexation by the British East India Company in 1856.

2. Bajranggarh State Coin

• Issued in the name of Jai Singh

• Details: Bajranggarh was a small princely state, and this coin was likely minted in a local or regional style.

3. Bindraban State Coin

• Mint: Bindraban (Vrindavan)

• Islamic Year: AH (Anno Hegirae)

• Ruler: Not specified

• Details: Bindraban (modern-day Vrindavan) was a prominent religious and cultural hub during the Mughal and British periods.

4. Dholpur State Coin

• Mint: Dholpur

• Reign Year: RY 17

• Ruler: Kirat Singh

• Details: Dholpur was a princely state in present-day Rajasthan, and this coin was likely issued during Kirat Singh’s rule.

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5. Bikaner State Coins

• Coin 1 (1892)

o Ruler: Ganga Singh Bahadur

o Inscription: Mentions Victoria Empress

o Details: This coin signifies the relationship between Indian princely states and British rule.

• Coin 2 (VS 1994)

o 50th Anniversary of Ganga Singh Bahadur’s reign

o Details: This commemorative coin marks an important milestone in his rule.

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6. Hyderabad State Coins

• Mint: Hyderabad

• Coin 1:

o Reign: Mir Usman Ali Khan (last Nizam of Hyderabad)

o Distinct Feature: Depiction of Charminar on one side.

• Coin 2:

o Reign: Mir Mahbub Ali Khan

o Details: Hyderabad was one of the most powerful and wealthy princely states under British India.

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7. Mewar State Coins

• Mint: Udaipur

• Coin 1 (VS 1985)

o Inscription: “A Friend of London”

o Details: This could indicate British influence in the region.

• Coin 2:

o Design: Chitrakut Udaipur (depicting a scenic view of Udaipur)

o Details: Mewar, centered around Udaipur, was a historic Rajput kingdom known for its fierce resistance against Mughal and British rule.