2019-06-18 Tue

The Sikh Empire was one of the major powers originated in Indian Subcontinent during the medieval period. This Empire is also known as Sikh Khalsa Raj or Sarkar-i-Khalsa, it was formed under the leadership of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, who established this kingdom under a secular empire based in Punjab.

Maharaja Ranjit Singh is titled as known as Sher-e-Punjab for his bravery; he is also respected as one of the most epic heroes in Indian history. Maharaja Ranjit Singh is well known for his golden beautification of the Harmandir Sahib Gurdwara in Amritsar, famously known as the Golden Temple.

Maharaja Ranjit Singh captured Lahore, the capital of Punjab in the year 1799, and in the year 1801, he established Punjab as an independent state declaring himself as the Maharaja. As a king Maharaja Ranjit Singh used to look all his subject equally and used to take part in all the celebrations and festivals of both the Muslim and Hindu communities under his rule.

This silver rupee which weighs around 8.44g was issued by him from the mint Peshawar. It was issued during the Vikram Samvat year 1894. The obverse of his coin is inscribed with the Gobindshahi Couplet as ‘DEG O TEGH O FATH O NUSRAT BE-DIRANG; YAFT AZ NANAK GURU GOBIND SINGH’. The reverse of this coin is inscribed as ‘Zarb Peshawar Julus Sanah.

Image Courtesy: Todywalla Auction