On 15 August 1950, the first rupee coin of the Indian Republic was launched, bearing the national emblem of the Lion Capital of Sarnath. In 2025, we opened the doors to a landmark exhibition to mark the 75th anniversary of this event. For this edition of Spotlight, we illustrate some milestones along a 500-year journey that saw the rupee transform from a denomination of the Delhi Sultanate to an idea that travelled three continents, and shaped the history of many nations besides our own. We also throw a glance back at the mosaic of ancient and medieval Indian currencies that paved the way for this monetary innovation.
Odyssey of the Rupee
From India to the world
