2018-11-15 Thu

The princely state of Awadh was located on the northern part of India, was governed by Nawabs/Wazir on behalf of the Mughal Emperors. They traced their origin from Muhammad Amin (Saadat Khan) who attached himself to the court of Muhammad Shah. He was made the subedar of Awadh.

With the decline of the Mughal Empire, the British governor-general, Lord Hasting induced Ghaziuddin Haider, the then Nawab of Awadh, to make himself independent king of Delhi. Later, at the time of Wajid Ali Shah, Awadh was annexed by the British in 1856. Then the kingdom came to an end.

Nawab Amjad Ali Shah succeeding his father Muhammad Ali Shah, to become the province’s fourth Nawab in 1842. He was born in Lucknow on 30th January 1801. During his illustrious reign, he issued remarkable verity of gold, silver, and copper coins from Lucknow and Muhammadabad Banaras mints. These coins were found in the denomination of Ashraf, Rupee, Falus and their different fractions.

Represented above Amjad Ali Shah’s silver Rupee was issued from Mulk Awadh Bait-ul-Sultanate Lakhnau mint in 1258 AH. The obverse of a coin is inscribed with Persian legend "Dar jahan zad sikkah shahi banaid 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 legend “Sanah Ahad Zarb Mulk Awadh Bait-Al-Sultanate Lucknow Julus Mainamat Manus”.

Image Source: Classical Numismatic Gallery