2018-05-29 Tue

Jahangir was the son of Akbar, who ruled the Mughal Empire from 1605 until his death in 1627. The meaning of the word Jahangir is ‘conqueror of the world'. Mughal Empire had reached its highest peak at the time of Akbar. Jahangir tried to maintain the same stability during his time and succeeded in consolidating the huge empire.

Jahangir sat on the throne in the year 1605 CE. Immediately after his coronation, he increased the weight of gold and silver coin by 20% which was slightly higher than the rupee standard. These coins were known as ‘Jahangiri’. Later he increased the coin weight further by 5% and brought it up to 25%. Such gold coin is known as ‘Sawai Mohur’ and silver coins are known as ‘Sawai Rupee’. The word ‘Sawai’ means one and one-fourth, i.e., 1 1/4. Jahangir experimented with his coins. But, later on, such heavier coins were discontinued as these coins were inconvenient for transactions and the older weight standard of the time of Akbar was restored.

This silver square sawai rupee issued by Jahangir from the mint Lahore was sold for INR 60,000 at Classical Numismatic Gallery auction held in Delhi on 19th May 2018. The obverse of the coin is inscribed as ‘Shahenshah Umam Shah Jahangir Ibn Shah Akbar’ with Hijri Year 1019. The reverse of the coin is inscribed as ‘Dar Isfandarmuz ein Sikka dar Lahore zad bar zar’ with Regnal year 5.

Image Courtesy: Classical Numismatic Gallery