Colonial India

Coinage in the Princely States

Large parts of India were not under the control of the East India Company, but were ruled by local magnates. These ‘Princely States’ had formed in the 18th and early 19th centuries as the power of the Mughal emperors declined. These states struck Mughal-type coins and continued to recognise the nominal authority of the Mughal emperors until the take-over by the British Empire in 1858.
Silver rupee, Mysore mint 1832Silver rupee, Mysore mint 1832 alt="CopperCopper zohra, Farrakhi mint 1789
Silver rupee,
Mysore mint, 1832
© Fitzwilliam Museum 		Copper zohra,
Farrakhi mint, 1789
© Fitzwilliam Museum
Square copper paisa, Bundi mint, 19th c.Square copper paisa, Bundi mint, 19th c.
Square copper paisa,
Bundi mint, 19th c.
© Fitzwilliam Museum

Even after that, until Indian Independence, the local maharajas issued their own distinctive coinages, though often combining their own name with that of the English monarch.

Silver rupee, in the name of Victoria, Bundi 1872Silver rupee, in the name of Victoria, Bundi 1872 Silver rupee, in the name of Edward VII, Bundi, early 20th c.Silver rupee, in the name of Edward VII, Bundi, early 20th c.
Silver rupee,
i.n.o. Queen Victoria,
Bundi, 1872
© Fitzwilliam Museum 		Silver rupee,
i.n.o. Edward VII,
Bundi, early 20th c.
© Fitzwilliam Museum
Silver half-rupee, Indore, Malharnagar, early 20c.Silver half-rupee, Indore, early 20th c.
Silver half-rupee,
Indore, early 20th c.
© Fitzwilliam Museum

 

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Department of Coins and Medals, © Fitzwilliam Museum.