2020-07-14 Tue

The ruler of Rewa ruled from Bandhavgarh during the founding reign of Raja Vyaghra Dev, who was a direct descendant of Gujarati warrior king Vir Dhawal. Rewa was also the third wealthiest principality in Central India.

It is the first princely state in India to declare Hindi as a national language in times of Maharaja Gulab Singh. He is also credited for declaring the first responsible government in modern India, providing citizens of Rewa State a right to question the monarch’s decision. The State came under British paramount power in 1812 and remained a princely state within the British Raj until India's independence in 1947. Rewa was a 17 Gun Salute State under the British and post-independence, the Maharaja was eligible for a Privy Purse of Rs. 10 Lacs per annum.

The above shown gold Mohur was issued under his reign. It depicts Coat of Arms of the State on the obverse face of a coin. On the other hand, the reverse of a coin shows Nagari legend Sidhi Maharaja Gulab Singhji Bahadur Rewa.

Image Source: Classical Numismatic Gallery