Collapse of Marathas had far reaching consequences in Indian history. After their fall, hundreds of petty rulers, governors and kings who paid allegiance to Marathas or Mughals accepted British supremacy with little resistance, retaining very little political and almost no military independence. These semi-independent states are referred as princely states of India which issued their own coins. There were more than 500 princely states in India, listed in 1931! Some of them (Jammu and Kashmir, Hyderabad, Gwalior etc) were as large as England while others were just few square miles in area. These rulers had a fair degree of independence in governing their subject, collecting taxes and maintaining law and order. Many states issued their own distinct coinage, currency notes and postal stamps. These `Princes' (Who called themselves Maharajas, Nababs etc.) amassed fabulous wealth under solid protection of British. Indeed quite a few rulers were even richer than Queen/King of England! Some of these princely states were incorporated in British empire by Lord Dalhousy just before 1857. Rest of them were incorporated in modern India (few in Pakistan) soon after independence, in 1947. Shown below are coins of just few such princely states. This area is TOO LARGE to cover. I have coins of almost 100 states but just few of them are shown. Write me an e mail if you want any specific information or have something to add.

Mysore

Tipu minted very interesting coins, in all the three metals, gold, silver and copper. He minted gold coins of about 3.4 gm commmonly called as pagoda. 3.4 gm gold was standard unit in that period in south India. Interestingly he also minted `double pagoda' and `four pagoda' coins, which are quite rare. Shown below is one such rarity, double pagoda of Tipu. Most of his copper coins had an elephant on obverse. Elephant was royal symbol of this dynasty. His most popular coin is a heavy silver coin called `double Rupee'. Shown below is this rare coin.

After death of Tipu British brought in the old reigning Wodeyar dynasty while retaining most military powers. Wodeyar kings especially Krishana Raja Wodeyar were able rulers and made Mysore as one the best princely state of India by 20th century. Shown below are coins of this state. The coins issued by King's Dewan (prime minister) Purnaiya on behalf of King, shows a Shardula, a mythical tiger.

Awadh or Oudh

Awadh was very fertile and prosperous province of northern India (modern Uttar Pradesh) with very high density of population. The name Awadh is derived from word Ayodhya, capital of Lord Rama, the legendary King and hero of epic Ramayana. Awadh was important province of Mughal empire. In 1720, Saadat Khan, adventurer and a merchant was appointed as a Subhedar (Governor) by Mughal emperor Muhammad Shah. Gradually Awadh became an independent kingdom as power of Mughals diminished. Opulence in courts of Nababs (kings of Awadh) and their prosperity noticed by British East India Company. This resulted in their direct interferance in internal political matters of Awadh.

Sixth Nabab of Awadh, Ghazi ud-Din Haider started a new era in Awadh coinage. In 1815, Marquis Hastings of East India Company persuaded Haider to become independent king which he did and later issued coins on his name. Ghazi ud-Din introduced very interesting cois which were completely different from his predecessors. For the first time, Awadh coins were issued on its rulers name instead of Mughal emperor, Shah alam II. The most important feature of his coinage was introduction of a European-style coat of arms (partially resembled to arms of England) on reverse of coin, consisting of two fish, two lions, two flags, a Katar (a small dagger) surmounted with a crown symbolizing king. A pair of fish forming a circle enclose the regnal year above a chain in form of a boat.

The fish was the royal symbol of this dynasty which was continued by later rulers who became nababs. Shown below is a fine example of a silver rupee minted by Nabab Amjad ali Shah which show fish above which royal crown is shown. Two swords are around the crown and royal canopy.

English armies defeated Nabab of Awadh in battle of Buxor in 1764 which started a long process of ceding territories, signing unfavourable traties and eventually complete loss of power. Wajid Ali Shah was the last Nabab of Awadh. In 1856, his kingdom was annexed by Dalhousie, Governor General of East India Company on the grounds of internal misrule. It was in Awadh where the first great revolt of Indian Independence started in 1857 AD. Shown below is a fine example of silver rupee minted by this last Nabab.

Hyderabad

Puduakkottai

Jhabua

Jhabua was a small princely state in central India (Madhya Pradesh state in modern India). It was feudatory state under protection of Maratha rulers, Holkars of Indore . Jhabua was ruled by Rajput Kings although state was mostly populated by various tribals. Shown above is coin of this state which seems to be the only remaining specimen in whole world!! The obverse shows numeral 1 while reverse shows Swastika.

More than 500 such princely states were present in India prior to 1947. Coins of some of the states are enclosed. This area is too large to cover in this small section. This section would take a lot of time to complete as I have coins of more than 20 princely states. Currently I have included few images and very little information. I hope to add coins of all other states soon. Come back soon! If you have any comments, please send at

nupam@msn.com

This page is divided into following sections:

• India's First Coinage
  
• Coins of Indo-Greek Dynasties
  
• Coins of Kushana Dynasty
  
• Coins of Gupta Dynasty/Golden Age of India
  
• Coins of Satvahanas, Kshatrapas and Post Gupta Dynasties
  
• Coins of Southern Indian Dynasties
  
• Coins of Mughals and other Islamic dynasties
  
• Coins of Maratha Rulers
  
• Coins of East India Company and Modern India
  
• Coins of Princely States of India
  
• Coins of Independent Kingdoms
  
• Why a webpage for Indian coin
  

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