2020-05-28 Thu

Mir Usman Ali Khan was the last Nizam of the Hyderabad. He ruled this state between 1911 and 1948 until it was merged with the Indian Union.

Hyderabad was a Princely State located in the South-central region of India. It was ruled by Nizam of Hyderabad from 1724 till 1948 CE. The region had also become a part of the Mughal Empire in 1680.

Hyderabad was founded by Mir Qamar-ud-din Khan, a Governor of Deccan under the Mughal Empire from 1713 till 1721. In the year 1724, he became free from Mughal and founded the Asaf Jahi dynasty. He took the title Asaf Jha. His other title Nizam-ul-Mulk became the title of his position as the Nizam of Hyderabad.

Mir Usman Ali Khan issued coins in various metals viz. gold, silver, bronze, nickel, and copper-nickel in shapes such as round or irregular and square from Haidarabad (Farkhanda Bunyad) mint. These coins were found in various denominations like Rupee, Ashrafi, Pai, and Annas.

This gold Ashrafi which weighs around 11.22g was issued by Mir Usman Ali Khan during his reign from Princely State Hyderabad. The obverse of the coin is inscribed with the image of ‘Charminar’ with a short initial ‘Ain’ and Hijri Date 1343 and the regnal year '14'. The reverse of the coin depicts the name, the title of the king.