Innovative Designs Of The Mughal Coinage

Technically, the Mughal period in India initiated in 1526 AD when Babur defeated Ibrahim Lodhi, the Sultan of Delhi and ended in 1857 AD when the British deposed and exiled Bahadur Shah Zafar, the last Mughal Emperor after the great uprising. The later emperors after Shah Alam II were little more than figureheads.

The most significant monetary contribution of the Mughals was to bring about uniformity and consolidation of the system of coinage throughout the Empire. The system lasted long after the Mughal Empire was effectively no more. The system of tri-metalism which came to characterise Mughal coinage was largely the creation, not of the Mughals but of Sher Shah Suri (1540 to 1545 AD), an Afghan, who ruled for a brief time in Delhi. 

Where coin designs and minting techniques were concerned, Mughal Coinage reflected originality and innovative skills. Mughal coin designs came to maturity during the reign of the Grand Mughal, Akbar. Innovations like ornamentation of the background of the die with floral scrollwork were introduced. Jahangir took a personal interest in his coinage. The surviving gigantic coins are amongst the largest issued in the world.

 The Zodiacal signs, portraits and literary verses and the excellent calligraphy that came to characterise his coins took Mughal Coinage to new heights.

The early years of Shah Jehan's reign brought forth a large variety of types; coin design was standardised towards the latter part of his reign. Aurangzeb, the last of the Grand Mughals was austere in his ways and orthodox in his beliefs. He did away with the Kalima, the Islamic Article of Faith from his coins, and the format of coins was standardised to incorporate the name of the ruler, the mint and the date of issue.

Akbar also struck gold muhars which had a value of 10 and 12 rupiyahs. He brought in¬novation in his coins He was the first Mughal emperor who issued fractional coins in gold, silver and copper. Silver rupiyah coins were struck in three denominations, viz.. 1, 1/2 and 1/4. of a rupiyah. His copper coins in the de¬nomination of 1/2 were known as nasfi. 

1/4 as dam and 1/8 part as damn or damdi Akbar also struck heavy copper coins of 632 to 644 grains weight which were known as "Tanka" Inscription on these coins was simple The obverse of the coin carried only two words—"Tanka Akbari" and the reverse showed the llahi year. Fractional tanka coins in 1/2, 1/4, 1/8 and 1/16 denominations were popular.

Akbar brought about a change in the shape of his coins. He issued gold, silver and copper coins in round, square, rectangular and mihrabi shapes. He was the only Mughal emperor who issued 26 types (varieties) of gold coins. Some popular gold coins to name are—Emperor. Rahas. Atmah. Binsat, Jugul, Lalejalali, Aftabi, llahi, Lale Jalahi. Adalgutka, Maherabi. Muini, Gird, Dhan, Salimi. Man, Samni, Kala. Rabi the Shahenshah gold coin weighed 102 tolas Most of these were commemorative coins His name was struck on Shahrukhi silver coins either with and without titles on the reverse, which read as Jalaluddin Muha

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