Coins of Maratha rulers include the gold and which were issued by Shivaji and his successors and the southern Maratha family. The gold coins of both the kings were of 'pagoda' type. The coins of Shivaji bore 'Chhatrapati' in Nagari on one side and 'Sri Raja Siva' on the other side of the coin. Some 'pagodas' show a figure of Lord Shiva on one side and a granulated surface on the other without any inscription. These coins were ascribed to the South Maratha family. These gold coins are rare but the copper coins found in large numbers. The legends are the same in the copper and gold coins of Shivaji. The coins of the other rulers continue to use the title 'Chhatrapati' on one side and the name 'Sri Raja Shahu' or 'Sri Sarabharaja' on the flip side of the coin.
The historical evidences say that Shivaji had minted only one set of gold coins in his time. During the time of his coronation, seven lakh coins were showered upon him and issued for the first time. The coins are now rare as Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb had most of them melted as a result of his enmity with Shivaji Maharaj. With the usurpation of power by Balaji, the Peshwa, Maratha power grew and a great Maratha confederation was formed. In 1695, it reached its zenith and dominated Central India and influenced the north and east of the country. The power of this confederacy was broken by the Durrani invader Ahmad Shah at the battle of Panipat in 1761. At the time of the transference of the power of Marathas into the hands of Peshwas and their confederacy, they issued their own coins. They retained the name of the Mughal rulers and followed the pattern of the Peshwas' coins in silver. They set up a mint at Pune which came to be known as 'Muhiabad Puna' on the coins. In addition to that, an umpteen number of mints issued coins under the Maratha power.
Some of the mints where the coins were issued at the time were Bagalkot, Mulher, Chandor, Kolaba, Sangli, Miraj, Panhala, Balwantnagar (Jhansi), Jalaun, Kalpi, Kunch, Balanagar Gadha (Gadha Mandla), Ravishnagar (Sagar). Moreover, on the coins of western mints the symbol of goad or the letter 'Sri' in Nagari was found. The eastern mints had a bold trident and a cross with three forks at each end. During this period, copper coins were also issued though less is known about them. Even the Marathas issued some coins form Salsette near Mumbai. The coins bore the mint name 'Sashthi' on one side of the coin and the Hijri era on the flip side of the coin in Nagari letters.
(Last Updated on : 18-02-2015)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Recently Updated Articles in History of India
|
|
|
• | Vijayanagar Empire Vijayanagar Empire is also known as the Kingdom of Bisnegar. This name was given by the Portuguese. Vijayanagar empire includes the Sangama Dynasty, Saluva Dynasty, Tuluva Dynasty and the Aravidu Dynasty.
| | • | Anegondi Anegondi, dramatic location and awesome architure with an out of the ordinary past this little village in Karnataka has
| | • | Foundation of the Gupta Empire in India Consolidating the entire northern India, the early Gupta rulers had founded the stronghold of the Gupta Dynasty in India
| | • | Wali Walis or Sufi Saints are those who have established a connection with the universal consciousness. They are closely connected to God to the extent that some of them remain cut-off from the real physical world as in the case of the condition of Wilayat Awwal. There are different levels of Wali depending on the extent of love and unity with the Almighty that they feel and exhibit in their behaviour.
| | • | Village Administration of Rashtrakuta Empire Village administration of Rashtrakuta Empire was headed by the village headman. Villages were divided for efficient governance.
| | |
|
|
|
|