2026-06-25 Thu

In our previous article, we explored the Gold Mohur of Ahom king Swargadeo Rajeshwar Singha. In this edition, we turn our attention to the gold mohur issued by Gaurinatha Simha.

Gaurinatha Simha was the 35th king of the Ahom Kingdom in Assam, reigning from 1780 to 1795. He ascended the throne at a young age of 15 following the death of his predecessor, Lakshmi Singha. During his reign, he shifted his capital from Rangpur (near present-day Sivasagar) to Jorhat in 1794. The capital was shifted to ensure better administrative control owing to ongoing political instability, particularly the Moamoria Rebellion.

His reign was marked by significant internal unrest, which placed considerable strain on the royal treasury. In order to support military requirements and administrative expenses, the kingdom increased coin production, including issues of smaller denominations. Coins were struck at both Rangpur and Jorhat mints.

Gaurinatha Simha issued gold mohurs and silver rupees, typically octagonal in shape, bearing Assamese legends along with religious motifs dedicated to Hara-Gauri. The standard weight of the gold mohur generally ranged between 11.2 and 11.4 grams, while silver rupees varied from approximately 11 to 11.4 grams.

The obverse of his coins commonly features the legend Sri Sri Hara Gauri Charana Kamala Makaranda Madhukarasya. The reverse bears the king's name and titles, usually inscribed as Sri Sri Svargadeva Sri Gaurinatha Simha Nripasya, along with the Saka era date. A lion motif, symbolizing royal authority, is often depicted at the bottom. The corresponding Gregorian year can generally be derived by adding 78 to the Saka year.

The specimen illustrated here is a gold mohur of Gaurinatha Simha weighing 11.28 grams. The obverse displays the Hara-Gauri legend arranged across multiple lines, while the reverse includes the legends, Sri Sri Svarga / Deva Gaurina / tha Simha Nrpasya, the date "Saka 1716," and a lion motif positioned to the left.