Home > Indian History > History of India > History of Indian Coins
History of Indian Coins
History of Indian coins exudes its scintillating charm of all possible kinds of coinage ever conceived by native souls.

Share this Article:

History of Indian CoinsHistory of Indian coins does provide an unparalleled series of historical documents. Within a span of approximately 2700 years of the historic epoch of India, umpteen realms ascended and fell to dust in various parts of the country. Some of them were gigantic enough to attain the expanse of an `empire`; others were so tiny that they held small territories, engaging an area of only a few square miles. But, all these states, with numerous ruling dynasties and several kings within them, indeed had put forth their own coins. It can thus very well be comprehended that the history of Indian coins and the system of coinage of yesteryears, goes back to indeed undocumented times. These historical Indian coins help to apprehend the socio-political, cultural and administrative aspects of past kingdoms and rulers. They also help immensely in archaeology to determine dates.

Influences of Religion in Indian Coins
In the domain of religious history, Indian coins play an equally substantial role. The coins of the Kushanas, who ruled in north-western India during the first and second centuries A.D., support effigies of a number of Greek, Iranian, Buddhist and Brahmanical Gods and Goddesses. The representation of Buddha in human form is noticed for the first time on the coins of Kanishka. On the coins of the Gupta Empire, one can witness the figures of Goddess Durga, Ganga and Goddess Lakshmi.

History of Indian CoinsDecrypting of Scripts by Indian Coins
The study of ancient Indian coins, also called numismatics, is interesting to pursue. The studies of ancient and medieval coinage have authenticated historical events cognized from literature, artifacts and archaeological findings. In essence, it was the decrypting of Kharosthi script and Brahmi scripts, which allowed historians to read the ancient rock and other inscriptions. In this process thus the whole history of ancient India was unfolded.

Different Dynasties and their Coins
Tracing down the line of the historical evolvement of Indian coins and moving further from the ancient period in Indian coinage, the Early Middle Ages was ushered in by the powerful Gupta Empire and their rulers like Chandragupta I, Skandagupta and Samudragupta. However, the prominence of Hindu rulers had diminished in the historical scale, with the arrival of Muslim invaders and their dynasties from places like Arab, Persia and Turkey. The ultimate ushering in of the Delhi Sultanate(1206-1526 A.D.) had become successful to entirely alter the outline of Indian coins and mintage. Medieval Indian coins point out the economic statuses of those times. Delhi Sultanate sultans, namely Ala ud din Khilji of Khilji Dynasty and Qutb ud din Aibak of Slave Dynasty, had issued an immense variety of gold and silver coins in blowing numbers, due to their treasury being full with the pillage and plunder of southern kingdoms.

History of Indian CoinsHistory of Indian coins also helped in discovering the personal traits of individual kings who had indeed issued them. For instance, Muhammad Bin Tughlaq from Tughlaq Dynasty, who has always been considered much ahead of his times, had minted coins in the name of his dead father whom he had slain in repentance during his early years of rule. The coining history of India once more took a dramatic turn under the advent of the Mughal Dynasty in the early 16th century. Beginning from Emperor Zahiruddin Mohammed Babur and perhaps mostly expanding under the reign of Jalaluddin Mohammed Akbar, Mughal mintage took India towards scaling heights, achieving worldwide fame.

The pre-colonial India and princely states coinage history become visible soon after the decline of the Mughal Empire, precisely after the death of Aurangzeb. The anarchy that had ensued as a disastrous outcome to the downfall of such a powerful central authority, had prompted for various provincial governing bodies to assert their supremacy, like the states of Oudh and Hyderabad, Gwalior, Rajputana and Mysore.

Indian Coinage during British Rule
History of Indian coins was awaiting its major breakthrough once more under the British Empire with Her Highness Queen Victoria. British casting of coins was the first ever instance of the arrival of modern coins in India. History of Indian coins states in the chronological order that the ones issued after 1840, had held the portrait of Queen Victoria. The first coinage under the crown was issued in 1862. The Indian Coinage Act was passed in 1906, which ordered the establishment of Mints as well as the coins that would be issued and the criteria that would be maintained. However, acute shortage of silver in consequence of World War I, led the British Government to issue paper currency of One Rupee and Two and a half Rupees. This significant move was very much followed as a path breaking lineage towards the historic system of coining under Republic India.

Indian Coinage after Independence
India acquired its Independence on 15th August, 1947. During the period of sufficient and most-wanted transition, India retained the monetary system and the currency and coinage of the earlier colonial period. India brought out its distinguishing coins on 15th August, 1950. Besides the usage of copper, gold and silver coins in history of India, it was for the very first time in the history of Indian coins that `pice` and `anna` systems were introduced in metals like nickel and bronze, aluminium and eventually, the arrival of stainless steel. The introduction of paper currency was perhaps the most sublime breakthrough after British Raj, which had remained witness of the bringing in of bank notes printed from Mint and issued by the Reserve Bank of India under strict legal rules.


Share this Article:

Related Articles

More Articles in History of India


History of Uttar Pradesh
The state was the heart of Mahabharata war and the history of Uttar Pradesh is very much the history of India. The place finds its mentions in Hindu epics Ramayana and Mahabharata.
History Of Archaeology In India
History of archaeology in India contributes a lot to define the past history and the social life of India.
Mughal Architecture during Babur
Mughal Architecture during Babur is of adequate significance in Mughal history, as the emperor introduced Mughal architecture in India, during 16th century.
Princely State of Patdi
Princely State of Patdi or Patri was incorporated as a part of the Baroda Agency, which was a sub division of Western India States Agency.
Architecture during Sayyid and Lodi Dynasty
Architectures during the Sayyid and Lodi dynasty were mainly the tombs and monuments for the dead rulers. It were carefully designed and meticulously constructed.
Brahmanical Sources of Ancient History
Brahmanical Sources of ancient history are contained in the Vedas and they constitute one of the most important literary sources of information about ancient India.
Female Education In British India
The over brimming enthusiasm among zealous Hindu reformers welcomed female education in British India.
Revenue System of Mauryan Empire
Revenue system of Mauryan Empire can be divided into eight categories. The principal revenue of the state was the land revenue, taxes from traders, artisans and professional taxes were also collected.
Mughal Architecture During Jahangir
Mughal architecture during Jahangir`s period was relative dull in comparison to that of Akbar dynasty.
Princely State of Satlasna
Princely State of Satlasna was amongst the former native states of India that was appointed as one of the Indian princely states during the early 19th century.
Coins of Chola Empire
Coins of Chola Empire were issued in gold, silver and copper and carried the Chola emblem.
Social Life during the Pala Period
Religious toleration and simple living were the characteristics of social life during the Pala period.
Coins of the Chalukya Dynasty
Coins of the Chalukya Dynasty was reintroduced in the South India after a brief break of coinage less period of nearly three century. Chalukyas issued coins only in gold and they exhibit a brilliant artistic skill of the engraver.
Costumes of Indus Valley Civilisation
Costumes of Indus valley Civilization have been considered as the basis for Indian clothes. Sophisticated ornaments and make up were used during that age.
Development of Science under Gupta Empire
Development of Science under Gupta Empire was progressive and it had attained considerable perfection. Mathematics, astronomy, medicine, chemistry, physics and metallurgy were the most prominent of the sciences at that time.
Culture under Delhi Sultanate
Culture under Delhi Sultanate had enduring aspects to it. It included the society, the religious condition, literature and art and architecture of that period.
Princely State of Hapa
Princely State of Hapa was incorporated as a part of the Baroda Agency, which was under the administrative control of the Western India States Agency.
Economy Under Chola Dynasty
Economy under Chola dynasty was strong and well developed. The economic life of the people of the Chola Kingdom was well balanced with their social life.
Coins of Khilji Dynasty
Coins of Khilji Dynasty had an influential feature that was followed by the other dynasties.
Religion During Mauryan Dynasty
Religion during Mauryan dynasty became a considerable episode in Indian history with an esteemed lineage of rulers.