2017-11-11 Sat

Nawab Amjad Ali Shah belonged to the princely kingdom of Awadh (Oudh) in Uttar Pradesh, succeeding his father Muhammad Ali Shah, to become the province’s fourth Nawab in 1842. Nawab Wajid Ali Shah was born in Lucknow on 30th January 1801. He began his illustrious reign as the ruler of Awadh after ascending the throne in 1842.

Muhammad Ali Shah had taken many efforts to ensure that the heir apparent received an excellent education and had therefore entrusted him to the company of religious scholars, but instead of making him an intelligent ruler, he made him a devout Muslim. Thus, he became the most religious ruler of Awadh.

He built a new bridge over Gomti and a metalled road from Lucknow to Kanpur. He also established the Hazratganj and Aminabad Bazar, major shopping markets in Lucknow.

He died in 1848 and was buried at the Imambara Sibtainabad in western part of Hazratganj, a quarter which he had himself established.

This Gold Ashrafi which weighs around 10.73g, issued by Amajd Ali Shah in 1258 AH, was sold for INR 1, 00,000 at Classical Numismatic Gallery. The obverse of the coin is inscribed with Persian legend "Dar jahan zad sikkah shahi benaid ilah zil haq Amjad Ali Shah Zaman Alam Panah” (Amjad Ali king of universe, refuge of the world, shade of God, struck royal coin in the world) while reverse of the coin depicts a crown with parasol above it and fish below, flanked by curved swords and the legend “Sanah Ahad Zarb Mulk Awadh Bait-Al-Sultanate Lucknow Julus Mainamat Manus”.

To know more about the Awadh coin click here