Q.1. Write down the information about four medieval coins of
India issued by four different powerful kingdoms. (A4 size sheet)
* Tughlaq Dynasty
* Mughal Empire
* Maratha Empire
* Rajputs
Answers
Answer:
Muhammad Bin Tughlaq was one of the most interesting personalities of Medieval Indian history. He ruled from 1324 to 1351 AD.
His rule is also significant for the introduction of token currency. He understood the importance of currency as a medium of commercial exchange and that is why he took keen interest to circulate gold and silver coins. The gold coin was introduced as Dinar. Tughlaq’s silver coin was named Adl. However, it was difficult to maintain the supply of gold and silver coins on a large scale. So, Tughlaq replaced those coins and started the circulation of copper and brass coins as the token currency which had the same value of gold or silver coins in 1330-32 CE. He was well aware that the state had to act as a responsible guarantor for the token money by ensuring high degree of security which will prevent others from making fake currencies.
But the administrators failed in maintaining the security measures. These coins totally lacked the artistic design and perfection in finishing and even the administrators of the king took no measure to keep the design secured and protected. In fact, the coins just had some inscriptions and no royal seals. These loopholes make them easier to copy.
As a result, the trade and commercial activities were heavily disrupted. Muhammad Bin Tughlaq was forced to take back all the token currency. He had to exchange them with old gold or silver coins. Thousands of people exchanged their copper coins with silver tankas or gold dinars and the state treasury faced a huge loss.
Mughal coins came to be made in all three metals at the imperial mints established in Agra, Delhi, Ahmedabad, Lahore and other important towns. Akbar's period also saw huge gold coins or mohurs being minted in multiple units of 5, 50 and 100 tolas, a policy that was continued by his successor, Jahangir
When the Maratha warrior Shivaji became Chhatrapati of the Maratha empire, as a symbol of sovereignty, the Rajyaabhisheka Shaka (The Coronation Era) was started. On the occasion of coronation, special coins were minted, including a gold coin called Shivrai Hon.
The origin of the Rajputs is a controversy. They claimed to be the descendants of the Kshatriyas of the Vedic times.
The Rajputs ruling central Hindustan, circulated coins mostly of gold, copper, billon and rarely silver. The gold, the drammas in weight were first struck by Gangeyadeva Vikramaditya of Dahala of the Kalachuri dynasty. These coins had the familiar goddess of wealth, Lakshmi on the obverse. In these coins, the Goddess is shown with four arms than the usual two arms of the Gupta coins
Of billons and the silver coins issued by Rajputs, the seated bull and horseman was the invariable device. They were first struck by the Brahman Kings of Ohind (Gandhara) on silver, the commonest were the issues of Spalapati Deva and Samanta Deva. The name of the king surrounded the bull in a circular style, wherein the undeciphered script (Turanian ??) appeared on the obverse above bull. These type of coins were continued by the Tomaras, Chauhans of Delhi, Rathors of Kanauj, Rajputs of Narwar and the Amritapala rajas of Badayun. They were all mostly struck on billon. The invariable device Bull and Horseman lasted the next three centuries in the hands of Kangra kings.
Explanation: