2017-04-24 Mon

Ratlam, a Princely State of British India is located in the northwest of Indore, Madhya Pradesh. This Copper paisa of Ratlam was issued during the reign of Raja Ranjit Singh.

The royal lineage of Ratlam state belongs to the ruling family of Rathore Rajputs of Jodhpur. In early period Ratlam became a premier of Rajput state in the western region of Malwa. This state saw the dominions of Mughals and Marathas and later came under the protection of British and became a part of Central Agency.

This copper paisa was minted in Ratlam 1890 AD (1947 VS). The obverse of this coin depicts a relief of Lord Hanuman walking left with three-fold ribbon at the bottom with lettering Ratlam in Devanagari. Flower and plants around outside of the circle. The reverse of the coin depicts Vikram Samvat date and face-value in Devanagari; flower and plants around outside of circle.

This coin is struck on a thin planchet and it is a restrike coin. The star depicted directly above the head of Lord Hanuman is supposedly the star of India. This star is an order of chivalry founded by Queen Victoria in 1861.

It is considered that this star represents Raja Ranjit Singh because he was also the recipient of the star. The state of Ratlam joined the Independent Union of India in 1948 and became a part of Madhya Bharat which later on was known as Madhya Pradesh.

Learn more about Lord Hanuman depicted on a coin.

To know more about Princely States click here.