Monk and Monarch

SR No.: 034964
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Vidyavijay
Publisher: Deepchand Banthia
Publication Year: 1944
Total Pages: 190
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 31 MB

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there were also rupees, half-rupees and quarter-rupees made of silver.
This statement also bears out the varieties of coins referred to above. This author furtheron refers to the rupee as being valued at 54 pice. This also supports the point discussed above.
Let us now turn to the consideration of the copper coins of Akbar. On page 31 of " Ain-i-Akbari", volume I (H. Blochmann) we read the following description of the copper coins of Akbar as given by Abul Fazl :
"1. The Dam weighs 5 tanks, i. e., I tolah, 8 mashahs, and 7 surkhs; it is the fortieth part of the rupee. At first this coin was called Paisah, and also Bahloli; now it is known under this name (dam). On one side the place is given where it was struck, and on the other the date.
For the purpose of calculation, the dam is divided into twenty-five parts, each of which is called a jetal. This imaginary division is only used by accountants.
2. The Adhelah is half of a dam.
3. The Paulah is a quarter dam.
4. The Damri is one-eighth of a dam."
These then were the gold, silver and copper coins current during Akbar's time. Over and above these coins there were other coins to which other writers have referred from time to time. The chief among such coins were the following :
1. The mahmudi was a silver coin valued at about one shilling. In other words, a mahmudi could fetch 25 to 26 pice. It is said that this coin was perhaps named after Sultan Mahammud Begra of Gujarat (A. D. 1459 to A. D. 1511 ). Mandelslo, one of the travellers of the ancient times, describes the mahmudi as being minted in Surat from the basest alloys and being valued at 12 pence or one shilling. He speaks of this coin as being in
1. Vide " Gazetteer of Nasik ", p. 459, 3rd foot-note. 18