2016-12-17 Sat

This gold Nazarana Mohur was issued in the reign of Maharaja Manik Pal of Karauli in 1199/26 AH.

The princely state of Karauli is located in the north-west region of Rajputana. It was established in 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 belonging to the same lineage as the royal house of Jaisalmir.

The Maharajas of Karauli started minting coins during the reign of Maharaja Manik Pal. The obverse side of this Gold Mohur depicts the name of Mughal emperor Shah Alam II and Hijri Date within the three circles (two lined and one dotted circle in middle) in Persian.

The Reverse side of the coin depicts Julus formula and reignal year ‘26’ in Persian within the three circles (two lined and one dotted circle in middle). Jan Lingen has mentioned in his ONS journal that this coin was minted only to gift as a traditional gift to Maharaja Kumari and Rao Raja Bishen Singh of Bundi on the auspicious occasion of their marriage.

This coin is first of its type that came on surface. It is identical to the rupee of that period which also indicates that they were struck with the same dies used for regular currency. These types of coins are minted for auspicious occasions.

Karauli state was passed successively under both Mughal and Maratha rule. In 1817 AD it came under the rule of Rajputana Agency of the British Raj. After Independence in 1947 AD, the state under the hold of Maharaja Ganesh Pal Deo acceded to the Dominion of India on 7 April 1949. Karauli later merged with the Union of India and became a part of the state of Rajasthan.