2026-09-15 Tue

The Patwardhans of Miraj occupied an important position in the political landscape of the late Maratha period. Originally prominent military commanders and jagirdars under the Peshwas, the Patwardhan family came to control extensive territories in southern Maharashtra. Miraj emerged as one of their principal centres, and the family’s coinage provides a fascinating reflection of both their political allegiance and religious identity.

Among the most distinctive issues associated with the Patwardhans is the “Ganapati–Pantapradhan” silver rupee, struck at the Murtazabad Mint of Miraj. The coin was issued in the name of the Mughal emperor Shah Alam II, whose name continued to appear on the coinage of several Maratha-controlled territories despite the declining political authority of the Mughal Empire.

What makes the coin particularly remarkable is the combination of Persian and Devanagari inscriptions. On the obverse, the Devanagari legend “Shri Ganapati” (श्री गणपति) appears above the Persian inscription naming Shah Alam II as Shah Alam Bahadur Badshah Ghazi. The date appears below the principal inscription.

The reverse carries the equally striking Devanagari legend “Shri Pantapradhan” (श्री पंतप्रधान). Pantapradhan, literally meaning “Prime Minister,” was the traditional Marathi designation for the Peshwa. Beneath it appears the Persian regnal formula, together with the mint name Murtazabad. Thus, the two Devanagari legends—Shri Ganapati and Shri Pantapradhan—combine the religious devotion of the Patwardhans with their political allegiance to the Peshwa establishment.

The surviving pieces are highly sought after by collectors. Auction records describe examples around 11.2–11.4 grams, consistent with the silver rupee standard, and specimens with a complete date and mint name are particularly difficult to obtain. One documented example of the type was described as “About Extremely Fine” and “a Great Rarity for the Maratha collection,” while other examples have been graded Extremely Fine and described as extremely or exceedingly rare.