2018-06-27 Wed

Maratha had ruled the Indian part of sub-continent from 1674 CE to 1818 CE. The Maratha Empire was founded by the great Maratha warrior hero Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Bhonsle. Shivaji Maharaj proclaimed himself as ‘Chhatrapati’ in the year 1674 CE. He founded this empire in response to the chaos and misruled that prevailed in the Deccan in the late 17th Century.

Miraj fell in the hands of Maratha from the Adil Shahis of Bijapur in the late 17th Century. In 1689 CE it was taken by the Mughals, but again in the year 1692, it fell in the hands of Santaji who were given the title of Deshmukh of Miraj. According to the treaty which was signed between Kolhapur and Shahu in the year 1730 CE, the fort of Miraj with some ‘Thanas’ was assigned to Govind Rao Patwardhan by Peshwa.

The rupee struck by Patwardhan of Miraj resembles those of Hukeri. They were of ‘Azamnagar’, type but with the mint name Miraj, instead of Gokak or Hukeri, This rupee as known as ‘Miraj Hukeri’.

This copper Paisa was issued by Gopalrao Patwardhan of Maratha kingdom. The obverse of this coin is inscribed as ‘Shri Gopal’ and reverse of the coin is inscribed as ‘Rao’. Both sides of the coin are inscribed with Devnagari legend.

Image Courtesy: Oswal Antiques