A three-day, 103rd Annual Conference of Numismatic Society of India (NSI), that opened at the Salar Jung Museum, Hyderabad (India) on Saturday, Oct 23, says Emperor Akbar had issued “Ram Sita” coins bearing inscriptions of both hallowed personages, together with the words ‘Govinda’, ‘Ilahi’ and “Allah Hu Akbar”.
Even though their voices are mostly muted, cloaked in centuries of hidden mysteries or half-truths, the eloquence of coins is irrefutable as they open windows upon forgotten civilisations, mighty rulers and fallen kingdoms. Undeniably, as sentinels of bygone times, coins add immeasurably to our knowledge, insight and understanding of History.
A three-day, 103rd Annual Conference of Numismatic Society of India (NSI), that opened at the Salar Jung Museum, Hyderabad (India) on Saturday, Oct 23, reflects on the openness and secular spirit and environment that prevailed in India during the reign of Jalaluddin Muhammad Akbar, the greatest of the Mughal emperors.
One of the papers submitted at the conference says that Emperor Akbar had issued “Ram Sita” coins bearing inscriptions of both hallowed personages together with the words ‘Govinda’, ‘Ilahi’ and “Allah Hu Akbar”.
Dr Yogita explains that Akbar issued three types of Ilahi coins in the name of 12 Ilahi months. The three types were Gold ‘mohars’, silver coins, rupiya, both weighing 11 to 11.5 gm, and copper coins, ‘tanka’, ‘gaya’ and ‘dam’, weighing 20 gms each.
In her paper, Dr Yogita Mishra Bajpai of Jamshedpur says “Akbar is well known for establishing ’Deen-e-Ilahi’ religion, which respected both Hinduism and Islam. The issue of ‘Ram Sita’ coins during Akbar’s reign with the inscription “Govinda, Ilahi” bear ample testimony to this fact.
There are also coins with the message “Allah Hu Akbar”, meaning Allah is Great’ on one side and the other side reading “Halke Jalal Hu”, which means “God with divine shine and majesty”, the paper adds.
Dr Yogita explains that Akbar issued three types of Ilahi coins in the name of 12 Ilahi months. The three types were Gold ‘mohars’, silver coins, rupiya, both weighing 11 to 11.5 gm, and copper coins, ‘tanka’, ‘gaya’ and ‘dam’, weighing 20 gms each.
Akbar took personal interest in coinage and appointed one of his most skilful engravers Moulana Ali Ahmed for the purpose of minting these coins.
The NSI chairman Deeme Raja Reddy, a neurosurgeon by profession, is the moderator at the conference. Another official says “it is a proud moment that this conference is being held after 80 years in our city”.
Delegates from across the country are participating in the conference, giving enthusiasts an opportunity to know about new discoveries regarding ancient coins, such as rare hoards, metallurgy, differences in coinage and their role in social and cultural lives of the day.
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