THE COINAGE OF THE SIKH STATE OF PATIALA

 

THE COINAGE OF THE SIKH STATE OF PATIALA

                                          THE COINS OF THE SIKHS - PUNJAB

                                                                                                         

THE COINAGE OF THE SIKH STATES OF PATIALA, NABHA, JIND  AND  KAITHAL

The Maharajas of Patiala, the Rajas of Nabha and Jind and the Sardars of Kaithal, all belonged to the Phulkian family of Sikh Jats. They were the decendents of Chaudhari Phul, the administrator of the local revenue authority, who died in 1652. These States were situated on the south of the Sutlej river and their territory reached up to the north of Delhi. They were thus known as the Cis- Sutlej States.

The Phulkian misl (confederacy) was aligned with the Dal Khalsa in 1734. In December 1763, the Phulkian misl, in collaboration with other misls, played an important part in the capture and destruction of Sirhind.

STATE OF PATIALA

The town of Patiala, which later became a State, was founded by Ala Singh, the chief of one of the Phulkian families, in 1753. In 1762, Ahmad Shah Durrani of Afghanistan attacked Punjab. Ala Singh of Patiala was subdued and had to give an annual tribute to Ahmad Shah Durrani. Ahmad Shah conferred the title of Raja upon Ala Singh. In 1763, Ala Singh acquired part of the territories of Sirhind and added them to Patiala.

In 1767, Ala Singh’s grandson, Raja Amar Singh, was granted authority by Ahmad Shah Durrani to issue coins in Patiala (Sirhind Mint) which were in the name of Ahmad Shah. These coins were known as Rajashahi rupees. Raja Sahib Singh placed the State of Patiala under British protection, Treaty of Amritsar, in May 1809, so as to stop the expansion policies of Maharaja Ranjit Singh of Punjab into his territory. In 1810, Sahib Singh was bestowed the title of Maharaja by Emperor Muhammad Akbar II of India.

In 1849, the Gobindshahi inscriptions were introduced on the obverse of the coins of Patiala in place of the earlier Persian inscriptions.

In August 1948, the State of Patiala was merged into PEPSU (Patiala and East Punjab States Union) which comprised of the States of Patiala, Jind, Nabha, Faridkot, Kapurthala, Kalsia, Maler Kotla and Nalagarh. In November 1956, all the States under PEPSU were merged with the State of Punjab.

Rulers of the State of Patiala	Period of Rule
Raja Ala Singh	1753   -   1765
Raja Amar Singh	1765   -   1781
Maharaja Sahib Singh	1781   -   1813
Maharaja  Karam Singh	1813   -   1845
Maharaja Narindar Singh	1845   -   1862
Maharaja Mahindar Singh	1862   -   1876
Maharaja Rajindar Singh	1876   -   1900
Maharaja Bhupinder Singh	1900   -   1938
Maharaja Sir Yadvinder Singh	1938   -   1948

 Coin Issues                                                                         

Raja Ala Singh                           - 1 Rupee

Raja Amar Singh                        -  1 Rupee

Maharaja Sahib Singh                 - 1 Rupee

Maharaja Karam Singh               - ¼ Rupee, 1 Rupee, Nazarana Rupee, 1 Mohur

Maharaja Narindar Singh            - ¼ Rupee, 1 Rupee, 1 Mohur

Maharaja Mahindar Singh           - 1 Rupee

Maharaja Rajindar Singh             - ¼ Rupee, ½ Rupee, Nazarana Rupee, 1/3 Mohur, 1 Mohur

Maharaja Bhupinder Singh          - 1 Rupee, 1/6 Mohur, 1/3 Mohur, 2/3 Mohur, 1 Mohur

Maharaja Sir Yadvinder Singh     - 1 Rupee, 1/6 Mohur, 1/3 Mohur, 2/3 Mohur                                       

1 Rupee, Silver VS (1895) (1838)

 Maharaja Karam Singh

D: 18mm, W: 11.00g.

 1 Rupee, silver AH

 Maharaja Mahindar Singh

 D: 18mm, W: 11.00g.

1 Rupee, silver VS (19)42 (1885)

 Maharaja Rajindar Singh

 D: 18mm, W: 11.00g.

1 Mohur, gold VS (18)96 (1839)

 Maharaja Karam Singh

  D: 19mm, W: 10.75g.

2/3 Mohur, gold VS (19)58 (1901)

 Maharaja Bhupindra Singh

  D: 18mm, W: 7.40g

 2/3 Mohur, gold VS (19)94 (1937)

 Maharaja Sir Yadvindra Singh

 D: 17mm, W: 7.40g.

The Fall of the Sikh Empire

 

The Fall of the Sikh Empire

The Fall of the Sikh Empire

Maharaja Kharak Singh (1802 – 1840)

Kharak Singh, the eldest son of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, was born in 1802. He came to the throne on the death of his father in June 1839. He lacked the political experience of his father and had many enemies at his court. He died of poisoning on 5^th November 1840. His very capable and only son, Prince Nau Nihal Singh, was also killed in a so called accident immediately after his father’s cremation in which the traitorous Dogra chiefs played an important part.

During his short reign, a few copper paisas and silver rupees were issued bearing the Vikram Samvat year date VS 1897 (1840).

     1 Rupee VS1884/(18)97 (1840)

     Amritsar Mint  (chand – moon)

     D: 23mm, W: 11.10g.

1 Rupee VS 1897 (1840)

     Multan Mint

     D: 22.5mm, W: 11.10g.

Rani Chand Kaur (1802 – 1842)

Rani Chand Kaur, widow of Maharaja Kharak Singh and mother of Prince Nau Nihal Singh, became the Ruler of Punjab on 27^th November 1840 with a council of advisors. Due to palace intrigues and conspiracies, her reign lasted less than two months. She abdicated on 17^th January 1841 in favour of Maharaja Sher Singh. Rani Chand Kaur was murdered by her enemies on 12^th June 1842.

Maharaja Sher Singh (1807 – 1843)

Sher Singh, the second son of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, was born on 4^th December 1807. He succeeded to the throne of Punjab on 27^th January 1841 with the assistance of the Dogra Rajas who placed him on the throne for their own advantage. He too had many enemies at court. He was murdered by Ajit Singh Sandhawalia on 15^th September 1843 at the instigation of the Dogra Chief Minister, Dhian Singh.

A few copper paisas and silver rupees were issued during his short reign bearing the Vikram Samvat year dates VS 1898 – VS 1900 (1841 – 1843).

          ½ Rupee VS 1885/1900 (1843) 

           Amritsar Mint (with royal umbrella)

           D: 18mm, W: 5.50g.

½ Rupee VS 1898 (1841)

 Kashmir Mint (with kirpan – sword)

 D: 17mm, W: 5.45g.

 1 Rupee VS 1899 (1842)

 Multan Mint

  D: 23mm, W: 11.10g.

1 Rupee VS 1885/(18)98 (1841)

Amritsar Mint (with trident)

 D: 22.5mm, W: 11.00g.

Maharaja Dalip Singh (1838 – 1893)

Dalip Singh, the youngest son of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, was born on 4^th September 1838. He succeeded to the throne of Punjab on the death of his elder half-brother, Sher Singh, at the young age of 5 years in September 1843. His mother, Rani Jindan (Jind Kaur), became the Regent. At this time, the British were following a policy of expansion in the Indian Native States. They cast their eyes on the crumbling power of the Sikhs. At the hard fought battles of the 1^st Sikh War (1845 – 1846) which took place at  Mudki, Ferozshare, Buddowal and Sabraon, the British came out victorious and entered Lahore, the capital. To control the affairs of the Punjab, a British Resident was appointed with absolute control.

The intrigues and conspiracies between the Dogra Rajas and the British led to the 2nd Sikh War (January 1849). The Sikh army lost to the British at the battle of Chillianwala and Gujerat.

On 29^th March 1849, a black day in Sikh history, Maharaja Dalip Singh sat in the Lahore Durbar (throne room) for the last time. Amidst a deep silence, the annexation of Punjab was declared by the British. Maharaja Dalip Singh and his Chiefs had to sign an agreement vide which the Sikhs lost all of their power. One of the terms of the agreement was that Maharaja Dalip Singh could reside anywhere in British territory except in the Punjab. Thus, the golden age of the Sikhs came to an end.

During the short reign of Maharaja Dalip Singh, a few copper paisas and silver rupees were issued bearing the Samvat Years VS 1901 – VS 1906 (1844 – 1849).

¼ Rupee VS 1885/1904 (1847)

 Amritsar Mint, Sat (Truth)

  D: 15mm, W: 2.80g.

1 Rupee VS 1885/1906 (1849)

Amritsar Mint

 D: 23.50mm, W: 11.10g.

 ”RAM” in LANDE Script

 (formerly known as lazy W)

  Last dated coin of Maharaja Dalip Singh

 1 Rupee VS 1885/1902 (1845)      

 Lahore Mint

  D: 22.50mm, W: 11.10g.

1 Rupee VS 1905 (1848)

Multan Mint

D: 21.50mm, W: 11.10g.

1 Rupee VS 1904 (1847)

 Nimak Mint. (Pind Dadan Khan)

D: 23.50mm, W: 10.80g.

1 Rupee. Gold (VS 1905 = 1848)

 Issued by Diwan Mulraj

during the siege of Multan

D: 9mm, W: 0.60g.

At the end of 1849, Dalip Singh was taken to Fattehgarh and elaborate precautions were taken to prevent his abduction by the Sikhs. He was baptized into the Christian faith in 1853 and soon after left for England. He did try to return to Punjab in early 1886 but on his way was arrested in Aden where he again embraced the Sikh faith, Sikhism. He finally settled in Paris, France where he died on 23^rd October 1893, a broken man.

The Treachery of the Dogras

Maharaja Ranjit Singh had taken a special liking for Dhian Singh, a Sikh in outward form only but at heart a treacherous Dogra Rajput. He made him his Chief Minister, though he was not a Sikh, and conferred  the title of Raja on him as well as his two brothers, Gulab Singh and Suchet Singh. They were given large jangirs (fiefs) for their maintenance. Gulab Singh was given the province of Jammu in 1822 and Suchet Singh was given Ramnagar.

However, the ungrateful Dhian Singh and Gulab Singh were involved in many intrigues against the Sikh Empire and were bent on gaining power, wealth and becoming independent. This opportunity came at the death of Maharaja Ranjit Singh in 1839. They were directly involved in the murders of Maharaja Kharak Singh, Prince Nau Nihal Singh and Maharaja Sher Singh. They even tried to put Raja Hira Singh, son of Raja Dhian Singh, on the throne of Lahore but were met with strong resistance from the Sikhs. Raja Dhian Singh was murdered in September 1843 by the Sandhawalia Sardars, Ajit Singh and Lehna Singh, with whom he had conspired earlier to murder Maharaja Sher Singh, as they were outraged at his treacherous nature.

Raja Gulab Singh turned traitor to the Sikhs cause and conspired with the British. Due to the treachery of Raja Gulab Singh, the last battle of the first Sikh war at Sabraon on 10^th February 1846 was lost though the Sikhs fought gallantly to the last drop of their blood. The traitor, Gulab Singh, was rewarded with the title of Maharaja by the British and the territory of Kashmir was sold to him. Gulab Singh thus became the Maharaja of Jammu and Kashmir vide the Treaty of Amritsar on 15^th March 1846.

The early issues of the copper and silver coins (called Gulabi) struck in Kashmir under the rule of Maharaja Gulab Singh had the Sikh symbol of a leaf.  At a later date, the leaf symbol on the coins was removed from his coinage.    

           1 Paisa VS 1921 (1864)

           Jammu Mint

           D: 23mm, W: 11.10g.

1 Rupee VS 1925 (1868)

 Srinagar Mint

 D: 22.5mm, W: 11.00g.

     1 Rupee VS 1934 (1877)

     Srinagar Mint

     D: 22.5mm, W: 11.00g.

Raja Fateh Singh Ahluwalia (1784 - 1836) and the Ahluwalia Rupee

 

Raja Fateh Singh Ahluwalia (1784 - 1836) and the Ahluwalia Rupee

Raja Fateh Singh Ahluwalia (1784 - 1836) 

The undermentioned coin is worthy of mention here. It was issued independently by the Ahluwalia Misl in VS 1862 (1805) which was then under the leadership of Fateh Singh. Raja Fateh Singh Ahluwalia was a great friend of Maharaja Ranjit Singh and had exchanged turbans with him in VS 1859 (1802) as a mark of perpetual friendship. He also helped Maharaja Ranjit Singh to consolidate the Sikh raj in the Punjab.

Obverse : In Persian“Deg Tegh Fateh Yafat az Nanak”. Trident

                 (The prosperity, power and resultant victory are obtained from Nanak)

Reverse : In Persian “(Sar)kar Ahlu(walia) – “

                 In Gurmukhi “Akal Sahaya 1862”. Lion

                (Ahluwalia Misl Government – Gods grace VS 1862 (1805))

                     Raja Fateh Singh Ahluwalia

                                                                      (1784 – 1836)

                 1 Rupee VS 1862 (1805)                    

Mint : Not Known, D: 21mm, W : ?

(Photo : World Coins, Krause Publications)

The Coinage of Maharaja Ranjit Singh (1780 – 1839)

 

The Coinage of Maharaja Ranjit Singh (1780 – 1839)

The Coinage of Maharaja Ranjit Singh (1780 - 1839) 

Ranjit Singh, later known as the “Lion of the Punjab”, took over the leadership of the Sukerchakia Misl on the death of his famous father, Mahan Singh, in 1790 at the young age of 10 years. In July 1799, Ranjit Singh captured Lahore and drove out the three unpopular Bhangi Misl chiefs, Chet Singh, Sahib Singh and Mohar Singh.
In 1799 (VS 1856), Ranjit Singh established the Sikh State with Lahore as his political capital. In 1800, Ranjit Singh attacked the State of Jammu, which became his feudatory. On Baisakhi day, 12th April 1801 (VS 1858), Ranjit Singh was proclaimed Maharaja of Punjab. Baba Sahib Singh Bedi, a pious Sikh and a direct decendent of Guru Nanak, applied the ceremonial saffron mark to Ranjit Singh’s forehead on this occasion. He then began a policy of expansion, bringing neighbouring territories under his control. In 1802, he established a political alliance with Fateh Singh (1784 – 1836) of the Ahluwalia Misl. In 1802 he captured the holy city of Amritsar from the Bhangi Misl. Ranjit Singh occupied and annexed the territories of the Dallewalia Misl and the Karora Singhia Misl in 1807, the Nakkai Misl in 1810, the Faizullapurias Misl in 1811, the Kanaihyas Misl in 1811/12 and the Ramgarhias Misl in 1816.

Baba Sahib Singh Bedi (1756 – 1834) applying the tilak to the forehead of Maharaja Ranjit Singh during his installation ceremony – 12th April, 1801.

Maharaja Ranjit Singh conquered Kasur in 1807, Kangra in 1809, Multan in 1818, Kashmir in 1819 and Peshawar in 1834. Dera (Dera Ghazi Khan) became a Sikh Protectorate in 1820. The Derajat region and Mankera became Sikh Protectorates in 1821. Chamba was under Sikh rule from 1809 onwards and Najibabad from 1795 – 1830.

At the peak of Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s rule, the boundaries of the State of Punjab extended up to Ladakh and the Sulaiman mountains in the north, the river Sutlej in the south-east and up to Shikarpur in the south-west.

During Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s reign, Sikh coins were struck between the Vikram Samvat Years VS 1858 – 1896 (1801 – 1839). Copper falus or paisa coins were struck from the mints at Lahore, Amritsar, Jammu, Srinagar, Multan and Peshawar.

  

The 1/16 Rupee, 1/8 Rupee, ¼ Rupee, ½ Rupee and 1 Rupee silver rupees were struck at the Amritsar Mint. The ¼ Rupee, ½ Rupee and 1 Rupee silver coins were struck by the Kashmir Mint at Srinagar. The ½ Rupee and 1 Rupee silver coins were struck at the Lahore Mint and Multan Mint. The Peshawar Mint struck only 1 Rupee coins. These coins all bear the Vikram Samvat year dates and were issued at various dates throughout the reign of Maharaja Ranjit Singh.



    1 Rupee VS 1856 (1799)

    Amritsar Mint

    D: 22.5mm, W: 10.12g.

    (Photo : Dalwinder Singh Collection)

A rupee VS 1856 (1799) exists with the leaf symbol as well as the double sprig with buds/berries. The buds/berries appear to be a secondary symbol on the left side of the leaf. This coin with the berry leaf is likely to be the earliest prototype of the buds/berries design. In subsequent coins, between VS1858 – VS1863, the leaf symbol was removed.

A different variation of the Silver Rupees, with the leaf symbol removed but the double sprig with buds/berries as the principal mark were struck at the Amritsar Mint between the Vikram Samvat years VS 1858 – VS 1863 (1801 – 1806). The buds/berries is most likely a representation of the dukh bhanjani berry (berry tree – the healer of all sorrows) in the vicinity of the Golden Temple in Amritsar. Another view is that the buds/berries are the representation of the feathers of a peacock.

The above coins came to be popularly known as the Mora Shahi Rupees in the

bazaar (market place). For the record, Bibi Moran, was a former muslim dancing girl. Maharaja Ranjit Singh fell for her charm and beauty and married her in 1802. She was even conferred the title “Moran Sarkar”. Ranjit Singh’s marriage to Moran was greatly resented by the Sikhs. In 1811, on the orders of the Sikh Panth “Khalsa”, Maharaja Ranjit Singh was called to the Sri Akal Takht in Amritsar by the Jathedar Akali Phula Singh, to explain his undesirable conduct. He was then admonished and sentenced to be flogged publicly. Ranjit Singh accepted the punishment gracefully, but was let off by the payment of a fine of Rs1,25,000.  He also very  reluctantly exiled Bibi Moran to Pathankot.

In VS 1862 (1805) and VS 1863 (1806), a different variety was issued with the symbol of a sprig with two large and two small leaves. These two types of silver rupees were issued only for a short period and were discontinued thereafter.

In VS 1862 (1805) and VS 1863 (1806) , another variety of silver rupees and gold mohurs was struck at the Amritsar Mint with the leaf symbol being replaced with a flower. This flower is most likely a representation of the berry flower. Again, for some unknown reason, these coins came to be known as the Arsiwala shahi Rupees. An arsi is a mirror ring worn as an ornament on the thumb, usually by dancing girls and brides. 
    

                                      

                                                  1 Mohur VS 1863 (1806)

                                                     Arsiwala shahi (gold) 

                                                          Amritsar Mint

                                                            D: 21mm

                                                             (Photo : British Museum Collection)

 

                                  

                                               1/4 Rupee VS 1884/85 (1828)

                                                          Amritsar Mint 

                                                     D: 16mm, W: 2.70g.

  

                                  

                           1/2 Rupee VS 1884/86 (1829)

                         Amritsar Mint

                        D: 19mm, W:5.50g.




                             

                       1 Rupee VS 1858 (1801)

                   Amritsar Mint

                  D: 22mm, W:11.00g



            1 Rupee VS 1862 (1805)

            Mora Shahi Rupee

            D: 21mm, W:11.10g.

            Double sprig with buds

            of the Berry tree

1 Rupee VS 1863 (1806)

Amritsar Mint

  D: 22mm, W:11.10g.

  Sprig with four leaves

1 Rupee VS 1863 (1806)

Arsiwala Shahi Rupee

D: 21mm, W:11.10g.

Berry Flower

Nazarana Rupee VS 1873 (1816)

Amritsar Mint. Dar Jhang

D: 20mm, W:10.42g

  1 Rupee VS 1871 (1817)

Amritsar Mint, Dar Jhang

D: 22mm W:11.10g

2 Paisa VS (18)80 (1823)

Amritsar Mint

D:22mm W:11.60g

1 Paisa (No Date)

Amritsar Mint (Katar – Daggar)

D: 20mm, W:9.10g

1 Paisa VS 1885 (1828)

Amritsar Mint,

D: 22mm,W: 10.8g

(Gurmukhi legends)

1 Rupee VS 1892 (1835) 

Kashmir Mint 

D: 21mm, W: 7.6g

(Gurmukhi Legends)

1 Rupee VS 1884 (1827)

Kashmir Mint

D: 21mm, W: 11.0g

1 Paisa (No Date) 

Kashmir Mint

D: 15mm x 21mm, W: 8.30g

1 Rupee VS 1860 (1803)

Lahore Mint

D: 23mm, W:11.10g.

   1 Paisa VS 1881 (1824)

Lahore Mint

                   D: 21mm, W: 11.30g.

1 Rupee VS 1879 (1822)

Mankera (Sri Akal)

                 D: 22mm, W: 11.10g

   1 Rupee VS 1889 (1832)

   Multan Mint

   D: 22mm, W: 11.10g

1 Rupee VS 1892 (1835)

   Peshawar Mint

D: 22mm, W: 8.45g.

1 Paisa (No Date)

                 Peshawar Mint        

            D: 22.5mm, W: 8.40g.

1 Rupee VS 1884/(18)94 (1837)

                   Dera. Sikh Protectorate          

          D: 22mm, W:11.10g.

   1 Rupee VS 1896 (1839)

     Derajat (Sikh Protectorate)

   D: 18mm, W: 10.80g

   1 Paisa Date off flan

   Derajat (1835)

     D: 20mm, W: 7.50g

1 Rupee AH1221 Year 47 (1806)

                 Najibabad. Sikh Feudatory

                 D: 21mm, W: 10.90g.  

Paisa 1830 PATTERN

                  Mint Unknown. Copper

               D: 27mm, W: 8.20g.

In 1836, two varieties of the portrait silver rupees were struck at the Lahore Mint. On the first variety, the obverse depicts Maharaja Ranjit Singh offering a flower to Guru Nanak, the founder of the Sikh religion, Sikhism. The reverse has the usual Gobindshahi inscriptions in Persian and the fixed year date VS 1885.

On the second variety, the obverse depicts Maharaja Ranjit Singh offering a flower to Guru Nanak. In the background is a pennant (flag) with the fixed year date VS 1885 below. The reverse has the usual Gobindshahi legends with the actual year date VS (18)93 (1836).

1 Rupee VS 1885 (1828)

    Lahore Mint, D: 25mm, W: 10.80g.

1 Rupee VS 1885 /93 (1836)

Lahore Mint

(Photo : British Museum Collection)

The death of Maharaja Ranjit Singh on 27^th June 1839 was a great blow to the Sikhs.

His mighty empire barely lasted a decade after his death.