Book Title: Monk and Monarch
Author(s): Vidyavijay
Publisher: Deepchand Banthia

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Page 164
________________ 131 24. The Sumni, or Ashtsiddh, is one-eighth of the Ilahi; on one side " Allahu akbar", and on the other "jalla jalaluhu ". 25. The Kala is the sixteenth part of the Ilahi. It has on both sides a wild rose. 26. The Zarah is the 32nd part of an Ilahi, and has the same stamp as the kala. As regards gold coins, the custom followed in the imperial mint is to coin La'l i Jalalis, D'hans and Mans, each coin for the space of a month. The other gold coins are never stamped without special orders." From this we can naturally surmise that of the aforesaid 26 gold coins only three coins, viz., La'l i Jalalis, D'hans and Mans must be in common and frequent use at that time. It is stated on page 163 of the " Description of Asia" by Ogilby (published in A. D. 1673 ) that the muhur was also called Zerefin Akbar, because it was first introduced by Emperor Akbar. It was valued at thirteen and one half rupees. These muhurs had not gained frequent currency but were generally reserved for collection by noblemen. Just as there were gold coins of different denominations, various values and various weights current during Akbar's time, even so silver coins of several varieties were in currency use in his time. On page 31 of " Ain-i-Akbari", volume I (H. Blochmann) we read the following description of the silver coins of Akbar as given by Abul Fazl : "1. The Rupee is round, and weighs eleven and one half mashahs. It was first introduced in the time of Sher Khan. It was perfected during this reign, and received a new stamp, on one side “ Allahu akbar, jalla jalaluhu ", and on the other the date. Although the market price is sometimes more or less than forty dams, yet this value is always set upon it in the payment of salaries. Shree Sudharmaswami Gyanbhandar-Umara, Surat www.umaragyanbhandar.com

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