Akbar, Silver Rupee (Rupiya) of Agra Mint

Coin issued: Ilahi 48 Month:Azar/ 1110 (Hijri year)/ AD 1602 (approx)

This silver coin is inscribed on both the obverse and reverse and the inscriptions appear inside a floral design motif. This qualifies it in the ‘Decorative type’ category of coin issued by Emperor Akbar. Akbar’s Ilai coins typically bore the Ilahi creed: Allahu Akbar Jalla Jalalhu. He issued silver Ilahi coins minted at Agra in square and round shapes during alternate months during the Ilahi Era. The Ilahi Era or ‘Tarikh-i-ilahi’ was based on the ‘Din-i-Ilahi’ faith founded by him. This calendar was based on the solar periodicals and starts on Nauroz, which falls on 20th March according to the Gregorian calendar.

Akbar issued a series of coins from the Agra mint dated in Ilahi 47 and 48 which bear denominational terms in the legends. ‘Rupaya’, ‘Darb’ and ‘Charan’ correspond to one, half and quarter rupee denominations respectively. These terms are corroborated by Abu’l Fazal in his descriptive account of Akbar’s kingdom and governance, the Ain-i-Akbari.

Jalal-ud-din Muhammad Akbar’s (1556-1605) long rule of 49 years and his expansion to newer mints led to the age of experimentation in coins for the Mughal Empire. Akbar issued about 25 types of new coins like Aftabi, Mohur, Lal-i-Jalal, Salimi etc. while retaining the rupee, tanka, dam and other local coinage. These coins were issued in different shapes like round, square, rectangular and others. He introduced decorative motifs like floral motifs, dotted borders, cartouche and star type coins. He also introduced imagery in his coins which is strictly prohibited in Islam. Famously, a mohur depicting a hawk from Asirgarh is evidence to this.

Title
Silver Rupee (Rupaiya), Mughal Period
Period
Coin issued: Ilahi 48 Month:Azar/ 1110 (Hijri year)/ AD 1602 (approx)
Mint
Agra
Weight
11g
Accession No.
2015.44.1