Evolution of the Sikh Coin Mints in the 18th and 19th Century

 Evolution of the Sikh Coin Mints in the 18th and 19th Century

 by Dalwinder Singh Sidhu

Sikh Coin Mints first started in the early 18th Century during the Baba Banda Singh Period around 1710 - 1712AD time frame. This was the first sign of Soverinity and independance. This was the start of the Khalsa Mint. 

Mid 18th Century, the Phulkian Misl under Ala Singh started issuing its own coins in 1764AD at the Patiala Mint. in 1766AD, The Kaithal and Nabha issued the next set of coins, followed by Jind. The Jind coins will need more research to identify the exact date the first mint started issueing coins. As the families were all somehow related, many shared coin die's with each other. Hence you will observe that some coins do look alike and may be confusing to a novice collector. Only Faridkot never issued its own coins for trade. Faridkot did however issue Nazarana and Commemorative Mohurs in 1941 mainly as gifts or special occasions. 

After the Patiala issues in 1764, the Dal Khalsa, comprising 11 Misls, started minting its own coins in 1765 at the Lahore Mint. This was the first sign of significant independance from the Moghul Empire. Then later at 1775AD, Amritsar Mint started issuing its own coins. Both coins were minted under the flagship of the Bhangi Misl, which was the strongest Misl at that time. In 1777AD, the Multan Mint started issuing coins. These were the 3 main mints under the Dal Khalsa which continued minting coins for trading purposes until 1801. 

Maharaja Ranjit Singh consolidated all the Misls and continued using the Lahore, Amritsar and Multan Mints to issue coins. During his reign, he expanded his empire North of the Cis Sutlej River towards the Kashmir Mountains and later the North West Frontier. Due to a treaty with the British, he did not expand south of the Cis Sutlej River. Only new known Mint south of Sutlej that potentially issued coins under the Sikh rule was Buria. More research needs to be done her. 

In 1819, Kashmir Mint was established in the Northern Region. In 1820, the Derajat Mint was established and then followed by the Mankera Mint in 1822. Maharaja Ranjit Singh then continued to expand his empire towards the Peshawar region and established the Peshawar Mint in 1834. In 1837, the Dera Mint was established. 5 Mints were added by Maharaja Ranjit Singh between 1801 to 1839. These areas were the toughest and most gruesome due to constant conflicts with local tribesman and the Afghani's. 

After the death of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, only the Nimak Mint (Pind Dadan Khan) was established in 1847. This was during the period of Maharaja Duleep Singh and Regent Maharani Jind Kaur. Significant trading occured in this region requirring the mint to be established. 

All mints stopped Minting coins after 1849. The last Sikh Coins under Maharaja Ranjit Singh's empire were issued in 1849. 

The Phulkian Misls however continued to mint coins as they were friendly with the British, especially after 1857, post Indian Mutiny period. 

A detail map showing the development of new Sikh Mints is shown below.