2020-08-11 Tue

Bikaner was a Princely State during the British rule in India. Today, it is located in the Indian states of Rajasthan. This state was ruled by the royal lineage of Rathore Rajputs. State Bikaner was established by RaoBikaji in between 1465 to 1504 AD. But like all other Kingdom Bikaner also came under British rule in 1817 AD.

Dungar Singh was a Maharaja of the Bikaner Princely State from 1872 to 1887 AD. An enlightened and progressive monarch, he aided the British during the second Afghan war by supplying 800 camels. During the reign, he issued silver and copper coins from Bikaner mint. These coins were issued in the denomination of Nazarana Rupee, Rupee, and Paisa.

This silver rupee weighs around 11.42g was issued by Durgar Singh during his rule in Princely State Bikaner. This silver rupee was issued in the name of Queen Victoria and it was minted in Bikaner. The obverse of this coin is inscribed as ‘‘Queen Victoria Aurang Arai Hind-O-Inglistan’ and 1859 date at the bottom all within the dotted circle. The reverse of this coin is inscribed ‘Zarb Sri Bikaner’, VS 1916 date, and symbols of rulers of the House of Rathods.

Image Courtesy: Todywalla Auction