2018-04-03 Tue

Bikaner, today a part of Rajasthan state, was once ruled by the royal lineage of Rathore Rajputs. It was established by Rao Bikaji in between 1465 to 1504 CE. It also had strong ties with the Great Mughal Empire through contract and marriages and they gave an outstanding service in the Mughal Army. But like all other Kingdom Bikaner also came under British rule in 1817 AD.

Due to their ties with the Mughal Empire, Bikaner State issued many coins in the name of Mughal emperor. But later on under the British rule, Bikaner acknowledged the British authority through the coinage. Bikaner issued coins from their own mints but when British offered to issue coins for the Princely State at no charges if they agreed to follow the British designs, Bikaner agreed.

Maharaja Karni Singh was the last Maharaja of Bikaner State who ruled till 1971 when the Privy Purse and all the royal titles were abolished by the Republic of India.

This silver Nazarana Rupee or Ceremonial Coronation Rupee of Karni Singh was issued in 2007 VS. The obverse depicts the Devanagari legend ‘Shri Maharajadhiraja Rajarajeshvara Narendra Shiromani Maharaja Shri Singhji Bahadur’. The reverse has a legend ‘Rajshri Bikanir’ on top and symbols such as sword, rifle, parasol, dome of temple, trishul depicted on middle and bottom has date.

This coin was sold for INR 1,25,000 by Todywalla Auctions.

Image Courtesy: Todywalla Auctions