Mughal-e-Azam

[Sulla80]

Have you ever started with one coin and gotten lost in a long series of stories?  Having some quiet time, I revisited a coin that I  had written up a few years ago, a coin of Timur aka Tamerlane, founder of the Timurid empire. This kicked off a meandering journey through a mix of history and legend, past the Taj Mahal, into a declining Mughal Empire, and a classic 1960's Indian movie - a tragic Mughal love story.  See the full path here:

https://www.sullacoins.com/post/children-of-tamerlane

The Taj Mahal, photo by Amal Mongia, taken January 06-early morning with a Lubitel camera, using expired Ektachrome slide film, and cross processed. It is NOT Photoshopped. Licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Perhaps the most enduring legacy of Timur’s lineage was the Mughal Empire in the Indian subcontinent. The founder of the Mughal dynasty, Ẓahīr-ud-Dīn Muḥammad Bābur (1483–1530), was a direct descendant of Timur (through his father) and also of Genghis Khan (through his mother).

Building on that lineage, Babur conquered northern India, establishing the Mughal Empire in 1526. His descendants—Humayun, Akbar the Great, Jahāngīr, Shāh Jahān, and Aurangzeb, among others—ruled a vast and culturally rich empire. This dynasty governed large parts of South Asia until the mid-19th century, leaving an indelible mark on the region

Mughals, Akbar (1542–1605), AR Rupee, 11.47g, Ahmedabad Mint, AH 987 (CE 1579-80), Kalima type, (KM 80.2)

Akbar the Great (1542–1605), the third Mughal Emperor (1556–1605) and grandson of Babur, presided over a transformative period in Indian history. He ascended the throne at the age of 13 after the sudden death of his father, Humayun, Akbar faced immediate challenges from regional rivals. Supported by his regent, Bairam Khan, he quickly consolidated power. Over a nearly five-decade reign, he expanded the empire’s boundaries across northern and central India, annexing regions including Gujarat, Bengal, and parts of the Deccan. Key to his success was a flexible policy of tolerance, forging alliances with Rajput chiefs through matrimonial ties and granting them high-ranking administrative positions. He also invested in administrative reforms, establishing a centralized bureaucracy organized under the mansabdari system, standardizing revenue collection, and improving communication networks.

Akbar’s court at Fatehpur Sikri and later Agra became a vibrant center of intellectual and artistic activity, attracting scholars, poets, and artists. Encouraging religious debate, he promoted the syncretic “Din-i Ilahi” philosophy, which sought to foster harmony among diverse faiths.

Akbar’s patronage of art, architecture, and literature led to a flourishing Indo-Persian culture. Upon his death in 1605, Akbar left behind a prosperous, stable empire that set the stage for his successors’ continued dominance in the Indian subcontinent.

Shah Jahan (CE 1628–1658), paternal line: Babur → Humayun → Akbar → Jahangir → Shah Jahan, who is well known or his patronage of monumental architecture and the arts, which ushered in the zenith of Mughal architectural splendor. Shah Jahan commissioned the Taj Mahal and other significant projects, including the Red Fort and Jama Masjid in Delhi, as well as parts of the Agra Fort and the Shalimar Gardens in Lahore. These structures blend Persian, Turkic, and Indian architectural traditions, with intricate decoration and sophisticated design elements.

Mughals, Shah Jahan (CE 1628–1658), Silver Rupee, AH 1051/15 (KM 235.x)

Muhammad Shah (CE 1719–1748)

This next rupee is a coin from 1732 from another Mughal Shah and great grandson of Babur (Paternal line: Babur → Humayun → Akbar → Jahangir → Shah Jahan → Aurangzeb → Bahadur Shah I → Jahan Shah → Muhammad Shah). Muhammad Shah (CE 1719–1748), often referred to as Muhammad Shah “Rangila” (meaning “the colourful” or “the pleasure-loving”). He is remembered primarily for the cultural vibrancy of his court and the political decline of the empire during his reign. He came to power at a time when the Mughal state was weakened by reduced central authority, following the tumultuous period after Aurangzeb’s death in 1707.

Muhammad Shah (reign CE 1719–1748), Akbarabad Mustaqir al-Khilafa, Silver Rupee (11.4g, 23.7mm), AH 1145, 1732 CE, Regnal Year 15

Obv: sikka mubarak badshah ghazi

Rev: sana julus zarb

Post your coins of the Mughal Empire....or anything else you find interesting or entertaining.

I almost forgot: the movie: centered on the story of Emperor Akbar and his son Prince Salim, and the court dancer Anarkali.  A synopsis of the plot can be found on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mughal-e-Azam. Note from Wikipedia: "The film is based on a legend, but it is given credence by at least two texts that assert Anarkali's existence during the historical period of Emperor Akbar (1556–1605)".

"Anarkali, according to a popular tale, was a slave girl in Akbar's harem with whom Jahangir, when still Prince Salim, fell in love. Akbar was enraged and is said to have had her buried alive. There is no mention of this event in the historical sources for Akbar or Jahangir, but a verse on the sarcophagus-shaped tombstone or cenotaph of the mausoleum reads:

 

• I would give Thanks to my God until the day of resurrection,
• Ah! Should I ever behold the face of my beloved again.

A cartouche inserted before the second verse contains the inscription majnun Salim-i Akbar ("The madly-in love Salim, [son of] Akbar") (fig. 29). The tombstone is otherwise covered with the ninety-nine beautiful names of Allah, and also bears two dates, given both in letters and in numerals: 1008 (1599-1600) and 1024 (1615-16), obviously referring to the date of death and date of the tombstone, respectively."

-Koch, Ebba. “The Mughal Emperor as Solomon, Majnun and Orpheus, or the Album as a Think Tank for Allegory.” Muqarnas, vol. 27, 2010, pp. 277–311.

Salim, in love with a woman that his father didn't approve of, became the emperor Jahangir who ruled CE 1605–1627.

Jahangir (AH 1014-1037/1605-1627 AD) Ahmadabad Mint, Silver Rupee, AH 1023 1614/15 CE, Month Aban (Scorpio), "Muzaiyan" (Ornamented) Couplet

Obv: Persian legend "ba naam (named) Shah Noor ud din (Light of the Religion) Jahangir (Conqueror of the World)" & Hijri year 1023

Rev: Persian legends Elahi month 'Aban' at the top, Muzaiyan, & zarb Ahmadabad" at the bottom ("struck in the beautiful city of Ahmadabad in the divine month of Aban")

Edited December 13, 2024 by Sulla80

[JAZ Numismatics]

Nice coins! At one point I had a handful of Mughal coins as they're mostly plentiful and easy to acquire from Indian dealers. They also have a nice gestalt - medium sized, sometimes chunky, generally good silver, and the calligraphy is large and lovely. They always sold well at shows because of their exotic eye appeal.

Edited December 13, 2024 by JAZ Numismatics

[Sulla80]

2 hours ago, JAZ Numismatics said:

Nice coins! At one point I had a handful of Mughal coins as they're mostly plentiful and easy to acquire from Indian dealers. They also have a nice gestalt - medium sized, sometimes chunky, generally good silver, and the calligraphy is large and lovely. They always sold well at shows because of their exotic eue appeal.

Agree, these can be satisfying, heavy coins with eye appeal - and I have to admit that without practice, it can be hard to see that they are different, over hundreds of years, from coin to coin. 

Without historical context and expertise in the details, it is hard to see any reason to pick one of these over the other from Shah Jahan (17th century) to Maratha Confederacy (late 18th century) to Ranjit Singh (mid-19th century).  If you are given a choice of coins from :

- The love story of Shah Jahan and Mumtaz Mahal who died in 1631 while giving birth to their 14th child and the Taj Mahal, built in her honor, an enduring symbol of love.   

- An alliance of regional powers after the decline of the Mughal Empire who fought the British in the three Anglo-Maratha Wars

- The "Lion of Punjab," and founder of the Sikh Empire in northern India

It might be easier to choose one over the other.

Although these coins are connected to many stories and have historical interest, the visual and thematic appeal is not at accessible as with Greek and Roman coins that often feature striking figural designs, including detailed portraits of historical figures, depictions of mythological scenes, and representations of daily life. These elements make more accessible the stories and offer a more tangible connection to the history, culture, and personalities of the era, and engaging a broader set of collectors.

In contrast, many ancient Asian coins emphasize inscriptions, abstract motifs, or symbolic designs, which, without a strong historical context or specialized knowledge, may seem less immediately compelling. I think it is understandable that many western collectors find that a small selection of Asian coins satisfies their curiosity, while Greek and Roman coins continue to invite deeper exploration and appreciation.

Edited December 13, 2024 by Sulla80

[JAZ Numismatics]

32 minutes ago, Sulla80 said:

 

In contrast, many ancient Asian coins emphasize inscriptions, abstract motifs, or symbolic designs, which, without a strong historical context or specialized knowledge, may seem less immediately compelling.

 

At least Indian coinage has all of that, once you go down the rabbit hole. Go further east into China, where there's literally mountains of cash coins with only slightly varied characters, and you've lost me completely. (I know there are other interesting Chinese currencies - I'm only talking about the cash coins.)

[Croatian Coin Collector]

Mughal Gold Mohur of Shah Jahan (minted in Surat in either 1628 or 1629):

Mughal Gold Mohur of Aurangzeb (minted in Kabul in 1673):

Edited December 13, 2024 by Croatian Coin Collector

[Croatian Coin Collector]

Mughal Silver Shahrukhi of Babur (minted in Badakhshan in either 1509 or 1510):

Mughal Silver Shahrukhi of Humayun (minted in Kandahar in either 1543 or 1544):

Edited December 13, 2024 by Croatian Coin Collector

[Croatian Coin Collector]

Mughal Silver Rupee of Jahangir (minted in Ahmadnagar sometime between 1605 and 1627):

Mughal Silver Rupee of Shah Jahan (minted in Multan in 1642):

Mughal Silver Rupee of Muhammad Shah (minted in Lahore in either 1744 or 1745):

Edited December 13, 2024 by Croatian Coin Collector

[Sulla80]

2 hours ago, Croatian Coin Collector said:

Mughal Silver Rupee of Jahangir (minted in Ahmadnagar sometime between 1605 and 1627):

Mughal Silver Rupee of Shah Jahan (minted in Multan in 1642):

Mughal Silver Rupee of Muhammad Shah (minted in Lahore in either 1744 or 1745):

Love the look of that first coin - nice coloring.  Here's another Shah Jahangir - I like the herbs that are sprinkled on some of these coins:

Jahangir (AH 1014-1037 /1605-1627 AD), Ahmadnagar Mint, Silver Rupee

Obv: Arabic legend the Kalima Shahada

Rev: Persian legend "Noor ud-din Muhammad Jahangir Badshah Ghazi" with "zarb Ahmadnagar", at the left,

Ref: KM # 142.1

[Parthicus]

I don't have much in the way of Mughal coins in my collection, but do have this satisfyingly chunky bronze of Jalal ud-Din Muhammad ("Akbar") from the mint of Lahore:

And this gives me an excuse to post again a clip from the Bollywood epic "Jodhaa Akbar".  In this musical number, the people are praising Jalal ud-Din Muhammad for his recent acts of religious toleration (including most notably lifting a tax on non-Muslim religious pilgrims), his estranged Hindu wife Jodhaa (played by Aishwarya Rai, voted the most beautiful woman alive) returns and proclaims herself reconciled, and the people request the right to call him Akbar (Great).  He therefore orders gold coins equal to his own weight to be distributed to the people in gratitude.  All to a catchy tune, Busby Berkeley-esque choreography, and some beautiful cinematography.

 

 

[panzerman]

Late to the game.....

AV Mohur AH 1081/14 1682 Aurangzeb Mint/ Aurangzeb

AV Mohur AH 1028 1630 Surat Mint Shah Jahan I

[Sulla80]

21 hours ago, panzerman said:

Late to the game.....

AV Mohur AH 1081/14 1682 Aurangzeb Mint/ Aurangzeb

AV Mohur AH 1028 1630 Surat Mint Shah Jahan I

These AV Mohurs are just stunning coins...

[panzerman]

Thanks!

 

The Mughals struck gold from the tiniest/ like my AV 1/64 of a Mohur/ under Emperor Shah Alam II 1559-1806/ by this time/ Mughals were subserviant to their British overlords. But under Emperor Jahangir/ he struck AV 1000 / 500/ 200 Mohur gold coins/ the 1000 M weighed 35 Pounds! Two were struck/ one for the Wife/ second for "court jester"??????

I would have struck second coin for my collection.☺️

Being poor/ I can only afford the little gaffer.🤐