2019-10-01 Tue

Surat is the city situated in Indian states of Gujarat. It is also used as the largest sea-port and the center for diamond cutting and polishing. This city is well known as the Diamond City of India; due to its diamond cutting, polishing, and export.

During the medieval period, Surat was one of the important port cities for the Mughal Empire in India, especially in the 17th century. The port is always considered as an important international trade since seaport is the nerve of foreign trade of a country. This port of Surat was considered an important wheel of the economy for India during that time.

The reference of the can also be from the ancient Indian culture. The ancient traveler Hiuen Tsang had described Surat as Sowrata, during the ancient period it was an important trading port in the coast of Gujarat. In the year 1514 CE, the Portuguese had described Surat as one of the important city for trade for all classes of merchandise.

This gold mohur which weighs around 10.8g was issued by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan from the mint Surat during the 2nd year of his reign in the month Azar. The obverse of this coin is inscribed with the name and title of the king. The reverse of this coin is inscribed with Kalima.

Image Courtesy: Todywalla Auction