2022-07-13 Wed

The princely state of Karauli is one of the biggest states in British India, located in the north-west region of Rajasthan. It was established in the 11th century, but according to some ancient references it was also said to be a part of the Matsya Janapada. The royal line of Karauli was ruled by the Jadon Rajput clan and claimed to be the descendants of Hindu god Krishna.

In 1785 the Maharaj kumari married the Rao Raja Bishen Singh of Bundi, (Maharaja of Bundi from 1804-1821) and it is likely that for this occasion, a traditional gift of gold coins was given to the newly-wed couple. As no other commemorative or festive happenings took place during this period, it must have been specially prepared for the auspicious occasion of the wedding. This Nazarana Mohur in the name of Shah Alam II is the first to have surfaced of this type.

The extremely rare gold Nazarana Mohur of Manak Pal bears the Persian legend ‘Sikka Mubarak Badshah Gazi Shah Alam’ on its obverse while the reverse of a coin bore the RY date, Mint name and Julus formula which is read as ‘Zarb Sawai Jaipur Sanah 26 Julus Mainamat Manus’.

Image Courtesy: todywallaauctions.com