2017-03-27 Mon

This Gold Ashrafi was issued during the reign of Muhammad Wajid Ali Shah in 1272 AH.

The state of Awadh or Oudh originated from the ancient city of Ayodhya. The Nawabs of this state trace their origin to Muhammad Amin, a Persian adventurer who served the Mughal Emperor Muhammad Shah. Muhammad Amin was appointed as the Subahdar of Awadh in 1720 AD.

In later period Awadh declared its independence due to the decline in the power of the Mughal Empire. Its coinage also saw drastic and dramatic changes. This obverse flan of gold Ashrafi depicts the name and title of the King with the Anno Hijri date within the toothed rime. The reverse flan depicts a crown with parasol above it and two Mermaids flanking the flags above the two cross swords within the toothed rime.

In 1856 British annexed Awadh and it was in the fertile soil of Awadh that the Great revolt of 1857 took place. Awadh along with Agra came under the same administration in 1877 and later on in 1902 it became a part of the United Province.

To know more about Awadh click here.