The review of coins of British India issued in the 19th century and at the beginning of the 20th century will be incomplete, if we do not mention the coins issued in the so-called "native principalities" - states on the territory of the Hindustan Peninsula, which were under the British protectorate, but formally were not part of British India. Patronage in most cases was limited to overseeing the "correctness" of the management of entrusted territories by local princes by British representatives at court and providing military support, if necessary. At the same time, especially obstinate rulers could easily lose their position, and their lands would become the property of British India directly if something went "wrong." The same applied to the principalities, whose rulers did not leave heirs.
Map of India, native principalities highlighted in yellow
The territories of these numerous principalities (and there were more than 600 of them) were ruled by local princes: Rajas, Maharajas, Nizams or Nawabs. The status of a particular ruler was emphasized in a specific way - the number of cannon shots that accompanied the arrival of a particular ruler in the capital. The importance of the principality was also evidenced by the use of own banknotes in commodity and monetary relations. By the way, not all of the huge number of existing principalities issued coins. In addition, as written in the description of my blog, I am interested in machine coinage coins. Therefore, we will not consider the coins that preceded them, made in a manual "forged" way (hammered coinage). A significant part of the principalities that issued their coins switched to machine coinage quite late, half a century behind, or even more from European states, or never switched to it at all. Therefore, in our review, only 20 native principalities will be described. Let's list them:
21 shots
Hyderabad
Hyderabad
19 shots
Indore
Indore
17 shots
Jaipur
Jaipur
13 shots
Jaora
Jaora
11 shots
Salon
Salon
Hyderabad
I want to start my review with the coins of Nizamat Hyderabad - the largest native principality of India in terms of territory and population (more than 18 million). Nizamat mastered machine minting of coins at the turn of the XIX-XX centuries. These were silver coins in denominations of 4 anna (1901), 8 anna (1901) and 1 rupee (1895-1901). The design of the coins of this state with a predominantly Muslim population resembles the coins of other Muslim states of the same time: Arabic knit, tugra and hijra year closely marked on the coin field.
Y # 35, 2nd unit 1907, copper, years 1904-1911
Y # 46a, 2 pack 1912, copper, years 1912-1931
On the obverse of silver (and a little later nickel) coins issued in the first half of the 20th century, Charminar is depicted - a mosque with four minarets. It is the most famous architectural monument of Hyderabad, built in 1591 by Sultan Muhammad Quli Qutb Shah.
Y # 53a, 1 rupee 1925, silver 0.818, years 1912-1925
Charminar Mosque
Hyderabad is one of the few native principalities of India that had its own bank, founded in 1941, and the last nizam Osman Ali Khan Asaf Jah VII was considered one of the richest people of his time who made his fortune in the diamond trade. He was so wealthy that he was able to donate destroyers to the British and Australian Navy during World War II. In the capital, he was greeted with 21 cannon shots - the maximum possible number. Coins issued since 1911 were popularly called "osmani" in his honor.
Y # 58, 2 pack 1949, bronze, years 1943-1949
Y # 48, 1 anna 1935, copper-nickel alloy, production years 1920-1935
Y # 49, 1 anna 1940, copper-nickel alloy, production years 1937-1942
Y # 59, 1 anna 1943, bronze, production years 1942-1948
Y # 63, 1 rupee 1942, silver 0.818, years of issue 1942-1946
The Nizamat monetary series corresponded to most Indian states and included the same denominations: shares, annas and rupees in various numerical values. The Hyderabad rupee was produced until 1948 and was circulated in parallel with the pan-Indian in the ratio of 7 Hyderabad rupees to 6 Indian rupees until 1951, after which it was banned and withdrawn from circulation until 1959.
Fearing that the rich Muslim Hyderabad, with the self-determination of the principalities, would go to Pakistan, or declare itself an independent state, the Indian army entered Hyderabad in 1948 and "persuaded" the Nizam to join the Indian Union.
Gwalior
Another principality, in honor of the arrival of the Maharaja of which 21 shots sounded in the capital. Initially, Gwalior was called a fortress, founded on the site of a certain hermit Gwalip, and the construction of which began in the VI century. The fortress acquired its modern outlines in the 15th century.
Gwalior Fortress
The first line of machine coinage coins was issued in 1887-1888. On the obverse is an image of the sun, on the reverse is text in Hindi. Par values to Rs.
The second line was released in 1896 and consisted of three denominations: 1 share, 1/2 paisa and 1/4 anna. Coins are made on copper blanks. The sun on the obverse was replaced with the image of a cobra against the background of a crossed spear and a trident.
KM # 164, 1/2 paisa 1900, copper, production years 1899-1901
KM # 169, 1/4 anna 1899, copper, years 1896-1901
KM # 169, 1/4 anna 1900, copper, years 1896-1901
On coins of subsequent issues. which were issued in 1913-1917, 1929-1942, a portrait of the ruling maharaja was depicted on the obverse, and the coat of arms of Gwalior on the reverse.
Maharaja Gwalior Madho Rao Scindia (reign of 1886-1925, life of 1876-1925)
KM # 170, 1/4 anna 1913 (thick billet), copper, single year of manufacture
KM # 171, 1/4 anna 1917, copper, years 1913-1917
KM # 179, 1/2 Anna 1942, Brass, Single Year of Manufacture
In 1947, Gwalior voluntarily joined the Indian Union. The descendants of the last Maharaja Jivanjirao still play an important role in the political life of India.
Baroda
Baroda, as an independent state entity, arose in the 18th century and was the third largest among the native principalities. Its name came from the distorted name of the city of Vadodara, founded in 812.
Lakshmi Vilas Palace in Vadodara
This is the third and last Indian 21-salute principality, which managed to organize an independent issue of machine coinage coins. The first issues of coins took place in 1881. In the beginning, these were denominations of 1 share, 1 and 2 paise. All coins have hooves and scimitars on the obverse, inscriptions on coins exclusively in Hindi. Coins were issued of two types, differing in the shape of the inscription above the scimitar - first curved and then straight.
Y # 30.3, 1 unit 1892, copper, years 1892-1893
Y # 31.1, 1 paise 1883, copper, years 1883-1885
Y # 31.2, 1 paise 1891, copper, issue years 1884-1891
Y # 32.2a, 2 paise 1892, copper, issue years 1891-1893
Later, starting in 1892, silver coins in denominations of anna and rupee derivatives, on the obverse of which the profile of Maharaja Sayaji Rao Gaekwad III was depicted, were put into circulation after the coins that were already in circulation.
Maharaja Baroda Sayaji Rao Gaekwada III (reigned 1875-1939, life years 1863-1939)
The last issued coins of Baroda date back to 1899. Nevertheless, in 1908, a private bank was opened in Baroda, which today is the third largest in India.
In 1949, the native principality of Baroda became part of the Bombay state of the Indian Union.
Indore
Former tax collector Malhar Rao Holkar at the beginning of the 18th century for his devoted service received several settlements in hereditary possession, from which the principality was subsequently formed with its capital first in Maheshwar and then in Indaur. Indaur opens the list of 19 salute principalities.
Rajawada Palace in Indaur
Daly College Indaur
Indaur coins are very easy to distinguish from coins of other native principalities - all coins before 1902 depict a cow sacred to Hindus. Despite the fact that there are only three denominations of coins issued during this period - 1/2 paisa, 1/4 anna and 1/2 anna, there are a significant number of their varieties.
KM # 33.1, 1/4 anna 1888 (name of the ruler शिवाजी राव), copper, years of production 1887-1902
In 1902, Maharaja Shivaji Rao Holkar abandoned his own currency in favor of the rupee of British India. However, the subsequent Maharajas Tuzhi Rao III (1903-1926) and Yashwant Rao II (1925-1948) still issued a pair of coins. Tooji has released quite rare silver rupees in two varieties. And Yashvant - two denominations with his portrait: copper 1/4 and 1/2 annas of 1935 minted.
In 1948, Indore became part of the Madhya Bharat state of the Indian Union.
Travancore
Another 19 salute principality in our review. The Principality of Travancore with its capital in the city of Trivandrum was formed in 1729 on the territory of the small kingdom of Venad.
Padmanabhaswamy Temple After God Vishnu
The transition to minting coins by machine was carried out quite early, back in 1864. A distinctive feature of Travancore coins is the presence on them of the name of the state and the face value of the coin, made in English. Another distinctive feature is the presence on the coins of a sacred Buddhist symbol - the shankra shell, which is also present on the flag of this native principality.
Conventionally, five lines of coins of machine coinage of the principality of Travancore can be distinguished. It is a line of two coins of Maharaja Visakham Thirunal Rama Varma IV, three lines of coins of Maharaja Mulam Thirunal Rama Varma V and concludes the history of coinage of own coins by Travancore, the line of coins of the last Maharaja Chithira Thirunal Balaram Varma II.
The names of the coins are mostly original: cash, chukram, fan, rupee.
KM # 47, 4 cache, copper, years 1906-1935
KM # 57, 1 cache, copper, years 1928-1949
KM # 58, 4 cache, copper, years 1938-1949
KM # 59, 8 cache, copper, years 1938-1949
In 1949, Travancore joined the state of the Indian Union of Travancore-Cochin.
Mewar
The last of the 19 salute principalities in our survey - Mewar (aka Udaipur), had an area of 34 thousand square kilometers and was ruled by "maharanas" from the Sisodia clans from Chittorgarh and from Udaipur.
Raja Grand Palace in Udaipur
Maharaj Jag-Niwas Summer Residence
After the sack of Mewar by the neighbouring principalities of Holkar, Shinde and Tonk in 1818, the Maharana Bhim Sing asked British India for patronage. At the same time, I had to sacrifice part of my sovereignty and a tidy sum of annual deductions.
Pillar of Glory Tower, Chittorgarh, 12th century
Pillar of Victory Tower, Chittorgarh, 15th century
In total, two lines of coins were issued. The first, storyline line of coins called "Friendship with London" was released in 1928 . The obverse of the silver coins depicts a view of the fort of Chittorgarh - the residence of the Mewar Maharans until 1559. An image of the fortress accompanies the inscription "Chitarkot/Udaipur," meaning the historical connection between the capitals.
Y # 18, 1/16 Rs 1928, Silver, 3.3 M ex, single year of issue
Y # 21. 1/2 Rupee 1928, Silver, 648 kEq, Single Year of Issue
Coin stamps in denominations of 1 rupee were made in thin and thick type.
Y # 22.2, 1 rupee 1928 "thick type," silver, 14.9 million ex. only year of issue
Fort Chittorgarh
A second line, consisting of three denominations, was issued in 1942-1943.
Y # 16.1, 1/2 anna 1942, copper, single year of manufacture
Jaipur
The native principality of Jaipur (formerly Dhundhar), ruled by padishahs from the Kachchava clan, was greeted in the capital with a 17-shot salute.
Hawa Mahal (Palace of the Winds), Maharaja's Palace in Jaipur
The first machine coinage coins, issued in 1880-1900, were made in the "Islamic" style.
The second line of coins of the 1943-1944 model contains inscriptions in both Arabic and Hindi. Nevertheless, Jaipur is predominantly a Hindu principality.
KM # 185, 1 anna 1944, brass, nominal weight 4.3, production years 1943-1944
KM # 187, 1 anna 1943, brass, nominal weight 2.7 g, single year of manufacture
KM # 188, 1 Anna 1944, Brass, Single Year of Manufacture
On the obverse, the profile of the ruling Maharaja Sawai Man Singh II. The nickname "Sawai" (one and a quarter) of the Maharaja of Jaipur was received in the 18th century from Padishah Aurangzeb, who considered Sawai Jai Singh II (1700-1743) four better than his predecessors.
Last Maharaja of Jaipur Sawai Man Singh II with third wife Maharani Gayatri Devi (reigned 1922-1948, lived 1912-1970)
Hinduism predetermined the further fate of Jaipur during the division of the principalities, it became part of the Indian state of Greater Rajasthan.
Kach
The kingdom of Kach was founded at the beginning of the XII century. Since 1548, the capital of the principality was the city of Bhuj. The scions of the ruling Jadeja dynasty subsequently founded the principalities of Nawanagar, Rajkot, Gondal, Dhrol and Virpur.
Prag Mahal - Palace of Rulers in Bhuj
Swaminarayan Mandir - Temple in Bhuj
The main monetary unit of the principality is measles, the name of which comes from the word kumari, which means "daughter" in Sanskrit. Corey consisted of 24 "dokdo" or 48 "trumbiyo ." Besides, the following original face values were issued: copper 1 trambiyo (1⁄48 measles), 1 dokdo (1⁄24 measles), 1 dhinglo (1-1⁄2 dokdo, 1⁄16 measles), 1 dhaba (3 dokdo, 1⁄8 measles), 1 payat (1⁄4 measles), 1 adhio (1⁄2 measles) and silver 1 adhio (1⁄2 measles), 1 measles, 2-1⁄2 measles, 5 measles.
The first forged coins of the principality were issued in the XVII century, and the first machine coinage coins began to be issued in 1865 and withstood 6 issues.
Coins of the reign of Queen Victoria (2nd royal issue, legend of وکٹوریا (Victoria))
Y # 30, 1 rambiyo 1881, copper, years of issue 1881-1883
Coins of the reign of George V (4th royal issue "Regal Issue," legend of جورج٥ (George V))
Y # 46, 1 rumbio 1920, copper, years of manufacture 1919,1920
Y # 47, 1 docdo 1920, copper, single year of manufacture
Y # 58, 1/2 measles 1928, silver 0.601, single year of issue
Y # 59, 1 measles 1932, silver 0.601, years 1928-1936
Y # 52, 2.5 measles 1917, silver 0.937, years of issue 1916-1926
The Principality of Corey is the only one that has "rushed" to issue a line of coins of the uncrowned King Edward VIII by machine (the Principality of Jodhpur also issued coins with Edward VIII, but these were forged hand-minted coins, so they will not be in this review).
Coins of the 5th Royal issue.
Y # 63, 3 Docds 1936 (Legend ايدورد - Edward), Copper, Single Year of Manufacture
Y # 65, 1 measles 1936 (legend ايدورد - Edward), silver 0.601, only year of release
Y # 67, 5 measles 1936 (legend ايدورد - Edward), silver 0.937, only year of release
The final series of coins of the 6th royal issue was minted during the reign of George VI (legend ٦جورج (George VI)).
Y # 76, 1 rumbio 1943, copper, years of manufacture 1943, 1944
Y # 77, 1 Dinglo 1943, Copper, Production years 1943-1948
Y # 78, 1 dhabu 1943, copper, production years 1943-1947
Y # 79, 1 solder 1945, copper, years 1943-1947
Y # 80, 1 adhio 1943, copper, years 1943-1946
In 1947, Kach issued a line of coins dedicated to India's independence.
Y # 83, 1 dhabu 1947, copper, single year of manufacture
After the principality became part of the Indian state of Gujarat, the exchange of Kach measles for the Indian rupee was carried out in the ratio of 1 rupee = 3.5 measles.
Pudukkottai
The feudal state "Tondaiman Country" was formed in 1680. Over the years, the size of the territory increased, after the seizure of the neighboring territories of the principalities of Thanjavur, Sivaganga and Ramnada, and the clear borders of the state were formed only by the end of the 18th century. Since 1800, the principality was under the protectorate of first the Madras Presidency of the East India Company, and then the British Empire as its staunch ally in local conflicts. The principality was ruled by the Rajas of the Tondaiman clan .
God Shiva Temple in Pudukkottai
Only one coin was issued by machine coinage - this is 1 amman cache. On the obverse of the coin there are inscriptions in the Telugu language, on the reverse there is an image of the god Shiva.
KM # 6, 1 Amman Cache, Copper, 5 MMex. production years 1886-1947
Tonk
The principality was founded in the XVIII century by Pashtun Muhammad Amir Khan. Using the example of the Principality of Tonk, it will be interesting to trace the technology of educating the rulers of the native principalities, which was practiced by the British. For loyalty to the English crown during the sepoy uprising, the British increased the number of salute shots due to the ruler of the Principality of Tonk from 15 to 17. In 1864, the ruler of Tonka, Muhammad Ali Khan, began the persecution of the Indians, for which he paid with crown shots, the number of which the British reduced to 11. Only in 1877 the number of shots was restored back to 17, but after the arrest of the rebellious ruler and the enthronement of his son Muhammad Ibrahim Ali Khan.
In 1932, a single coin with a face value of 1 paise was issued by machine, but in two versions, significantly differing in the diameter of the blanks - 21 and 26 mm.
KM # 29, 1 paise 1932 (26 mm.), copper, 640 thousand equivalent, only year of manufacture
KM # 29a, 1 paise 1932 (21 mm.), copper, 640 thousand equivalent, only year of manufacture
In 1948, the Principality of Tonk joined the Indian Union and became part of the state of Rajasthan .
Bahawalpur
The first native principality in our review, which, when dividing the territories in 1947, became part of Pakistan. The principality was founded in 1690 by the emir of Shikarpur, Bahadur Khan II. Since 1740, the rulers of Bahawalpur have held the hereditary title of Nawab. Almost all the time of its existence, the principality was under the control of Persia, Afghanistan, and since 1833 - Great Britain.
Noor Mahal Palace
Deravar Fortress
The Shah of Afghanistan received permission to mint his own coins in Bahawalpur in 1802. The principality quite late switched to minting coins by machine. Back in 1925, coins were minted "the old fashioned way," manually. Below is a coin of 1 pais of 1924. Please note that with manual minting, the stamp was not vertically aligned, as a result of which one side of the coin was not minted.
Y # 8, 1 paisa 1924, copper, years 1924-1925
The first machine coinage coins were issued in the same in 1925. These were paise on round and square brass, copper and bronze blanks, as well as silver rupees.
In 1940, two denominations were minted on copper blanks: ¼ annas and ½ rupees. On both coins, the profile of the Nawab Sadiq Muhammad Khan V Abbasi.
Y # 12, ½ paisa 1940, copper, single year of manufacture
Y # 13, ¼ anna 1940, copper, single year of manufacture
Dhar
The Principality of Dhar was founded in 1729 by Udaji Rao Pawar, a major Maratha warlord who received land from Shahuja, the fifth ruler of the Maratha Empire. In 1819, the current ruler of Dhar, Ramchandra Raj II Pawar, signed an agreement with the British East India Company, passing under the British protectorate.
Coins of the Principality of Thar are made under the type of coins of British India of the same period of circulation. The line of coins of the 1887 model includes denominations of 1/12 anna, 1/2 paisa, 1/4 anna. Coins in good condition are extremely difficult to find.
KM # 12, 1/2 paisa 1887, copper, single year of manufacture
Dhar Fort
Harbuja Mahal at Fort Dhar
In 1948, the principality of Dhar became part of the Indian state of Madhya Bharat.
Jaora
The first 13 times saluted principality in our review was founded relatively recently - in 1817. The Nawabs of Jaora immediately came under the British protectorate, which subsequently predetermined the fate of the principality during partition.
Only two machine coinage coins were issued in this native principality - these are 1 and 2 paisa on copper blanks. It is noteworthy that the inscriptions on the coins, including the year of issue, are made in three languages: Hindi, Arabic and English.
KM # 10, 1 paise 1893, copper, production years 1893-1896
Ratlam
It was founded in 1652. The principality, which once flourished and had significant territories, was annexed by the Mughal Empire at the beginning of the 18th century. During the period of British colonial rule, it was part of the Malwa Agency.
Bilpakeshwara Temple (Bilpank, Ratlam)
The penultimate ruler of the principality, Raja Sanjan Singh, received the title of Maharaja for special merits in the Anglo-Afghan War in 1921, and the number of salutes specifically in his honor was increased from 13 to 15 shots.
Maharaja Sanjan Singh (reigned 1893-1947, life years 1880-1947)
The only machine coinage coin issued by the principality is presented below.
KM # 24, 1 paisa 1890, copper, single year of manufacture
The coin depicts the walking Hanuman - an ape-like deity revered in Hinduism.
The principality became part of the Indian Union in 1948.
Junagadh
The ruling Muslim dynasty was founded in 1654 by the Mughal soldier Sherkhan Babi. The Principality of Junagadh arose in the territories of the once powerful March Empire in the west of the Hindustan Peninsula in 1730. In 1807, Junagadh became a British protectorate.
Mausoleum of Mahabat Makbar (Junagadh, 1892)
Bahauddin Makbra Mausoleum (Junagadh, 1896)
Machine coinage when issuing coins began to be used in the Principality of Junagadh only at the beginning of the 20th century. In total, there are 7 main types of machine coinage coins issued in 1906-1933. The quality of the manufacture of stamps and the curvature of the execution leave much to be desired - the coins are more like handmade products.
KM # 45, 1 docdo 1908, copper, years 1907-1910
Nawab Junagadha Muhammad Mahabat Khanji III (reigned 1911-1948, lived 1900-1959)
After the division of territories in 1947, the last Nawab Junagadha Muhammad Mahabat Khanji III decided to annex the principality to single-faith Pakistan. In response, the troops of the Indian Union invaded the principality and annexed its territories.
To be continued....