The past, like the present, is complex and can be looked at
from many perspectives. There can never be a single, final, perfect history.
There can never be a complete or exact picture of what happened in the past;
the task of the historian is to bring us as close as possible to such a
picture. Historical analysis involves carefully examining the available sources
of information, searching for fresh evidence, and devising creative, innovative
ways of interpreting historical data. Hence all historical interpretations are
ultimately based on evidence derived from the sources of history,
conventionally divided into two categories – literary and archaeological. From
historian’s point of view, literary sources include all texts- long and short,
written or oral; archaeological sources include all tangible, material remains.
These material remains can be used to reconstruct history and can be seen as
windows to the past. Study of Coinage (called Numismatics) is one such section
which holds a lot of significance as a source of understanding our history.
Hoard of Coins
In modern times, money functions as a medium of exchange, a
store of value, a unit of accounts, and a medium of deferred payment. In the
most general sense, money is any item that is accepted by a community for the
exchange of goods or services or for the discharge of debt. Currency and
coinage are more specific terms. Currency is a medium of exchange backed by an
issuing authority, one that can be used to immediately discharge any kind of
financial obligation. Coinage is metal currency. It has definite size, shape,
and weight standard, and bears the stamp of any issuing authority. In the world
context, the earliest coins in Lydia in West Asia in c 700 BCE and were made of
alloy of gold and silver.
Earliest coins found from Lydia, west Asia
In Indian context, Stone Age people had neither currency nor
coinage and conducted via barter. Chalcolithic cultures too conducted trade without
the use of coins. Harappans for instance, had a very extensive trade network
based on barter. There are a lot of
references in literary sources which give us an idea of existence of some kind
of exchange system prevalent in prehistoric times. Later Vedic texts and
Buddhist texts and Ashtadhayayi mentions
use terms such as Niksha, Suvarna, Shtamana, Pada, Kahapana,
trinshatika, which may have been metal pieces of definite weight
(co-existed with emergence of state, urbanisation and expanding trade). Interestingly,
the basic unit of Indian coin weight systems was a red-and-black seed of Gunja
berry known as the Raktika, ratti, or
rati (still used by goldsmiths).
Then came the Punch-Marked coins (the oldest coins found in
Indian subcontinent) made of copper, silver of various sizes and shapes. The
symbols and signs like mountain, tress, animals, sun-moon, geometric designs,
wheel etc. were hammered or punched on it. These symbols in all probability
hold religious and symbolic importance. Later with emergence of Indo-Greek
rulers coins were very well executed, usually round and mostly in silver
bearing the name and portrait of issiuing ruler on obverse. Coins of Menander
and Strato 1 (Indo-Greek rulers) show them aging from teenager to old men,
indicating their long reigns. The reverse of these coins generally had
religious symbols. Kushanas also issued many gold coins, with deities belonging
to the Brahmanical, Buddhist, Greek, Roman,and other Pantheon on the reverse.
Gupta Coins were issued in Gold in the largest number in history so probably
that is the reason it is known as the Golden Era.
Above are some Punch Marked Coins
In medieval times, there was a continuation of alloy metal
coins along with ‘Cowries’ (shells) as
a medium of exchange. In many parts of early medieval India, cowries continued
to be used as money along with coins. At Bhaundri village in Lucknow , 54
Pratihara coins were found along with 9834 cowries. Cowries were probably used
by people either for small-scale transactions or where coins of small
denominational value were in short supply. The market value of cowries
fluctuated, depending on demand and supply.
In the same reference Coinage of Lucknow or rather Awadh has been playing a very important part in comprehending bygone era of the region. Awadh consisted of much of the modern state of Uttar Pradesh with the initial capital at Faizabad and later moved to Lucknow which also stationed British Resident. With the death of Aurangzeb in 1707, the Mughal Empire began to fragment as there was a continual struggle for power at the centre. And because there was lack of control Sadat Khan who was appointed as the Mughal Governor of the province in 1720, he somewhat started behaving independent and taking advantage of the situation. He opened a mint in Benaras, calling it ‘Muhammadabad Banaras’, and issued new coins for Awadh in the name of Mughal Emperor. These coins in Silver show cased a stylised fish, the dynastic symbol of Nawabs of Awadh (which is also seen in the Awadh Flag.
In 1763, the Nawab of Bengal Mir Qasim tried to break free
from British interference and endless Avarice. He sought refuge in Awadh and a
combined force of Mir Qasim, Shuja-ud-Daula (Nawab of Awadh) and Mughal Emperor
Shah Alam 2 marched east to recover Bengal. However, this combined force was
defeated in Battle of Buxar in 1764. In the aftermath, Awadh lost its Eastern part
which included Banaras and was forced to pay heavy annual tribute to the East
India Company. So then, the Mint moved to Lucknow, from where coins in the name
of Mughal Emperor continued to be struck. There was clearly a very loose
control from the centre and no sense of political unity (with the existence of
various exchange system in parts of India). However there was always a strong
hold of existence of trade in the society. There was a lot import as well as
export from Awadh and according to historians the medium of exchange were
mainly coins known with different terms such as
– Rupia, Paisa, falus, mohur,
ashrafi, nazarana rupee. Awadhi coins experimented with designs as there
are many signs which feature in it like star, fish, flag and other signs. Most
of the coins can be studied through the inscribed details making it interesting
as a source of epigraphy. The inscribed details include name, designation i.e.
king/ruler, date/year, place of mint, and sometimes other details. The twin
fish gained prominence when court artist Robert Home designed the royal
insignia for Nawab Ghazi-ud-din Haider’s coronation as the first king of Awadh
and since then the two fishes were used as one of the chief elements seen in
buildings, gates, coins etc.
Fish Motif on coins
Coin of Nasir-ud-din Haider
A while later, in 1819 Nawab Ghazi-ud-din Haidar finally
started to strike coins in his own name. As the sources say that the idea was proposed
by the Governor-General, Lord Hastings, and he also encouraged Ghazi-ud-Din
Haider to accept the title of King. This clearly indicates how far Mughal
decline has proceeded. However historians claim that there were definitely a
little hesitation in taking this drastic step but in the eyes of some it was a
much needed and a great step. These coins featured - crown flanked by rampart
lions holding flag and two upright fish below.
There was also an introduction of ‘Coat of Arms type’ of
coins. These coins were one of its kinds. Apart from Awadh Coat of Arms, also
had parasol above crown, flanked by mermaid holding flag, and crossed swords
below. Struck in the name of Nawab Wajid Ali Shah, independent of Mughal rule,
but much inspired from European structure as seen in Coat of Arms design. It
was just not the influence of the Britishers, it was also alot of pressure
which was there ever since the Battle of Buxar. The East India Company had essential
control over Awadh and the amount of control they had, steadily increased over
the years.
With no clear powerful Leadership presence the end was near and hence in 1856 the East India Company annexed the state under the Doctrine of Lapse. Wajid Ali Shah, the then Nawab was imprisoned, and then exiled by the company to Calcutta. In the Subsequent Revolt of 1857, the first war of independence (also known as Sepoy Mutiny), Lucknow was the centre of events. The King makers where now also seen as the king breakers. The Nawabs were added to that growing list of those who had come to fear the outcome of British hegemony. With the annexation of Awadh, Britishers had all the authority over coinage system as well as the over the state treasury.
Eventually the coinage changed and evolved and the old coins
replaced with the new once, as it always does. This led to shift political,
social as well as economic system of India.
In 1877, Awadh along with Agra was placed under one
administrator, it was made part of the United Province in 1902.
Numismatics as a study and Coins carry a lot of historical information. They
are linked with monetary history, monetary value attached to coins, the
economic system of a reign, information about trade and exchange. Not only this
coinage also gives us information regarding dates, cross checking written
sources, and setting up chronology of an empire. Coinage also provides
information about the prevalent script, language, culture, the signage used. The
material used and designs also show the technological advancement and
metallurgy. It also covers political and religious history to some extent.
Hence we can say that Coinage has played an important role in reconstructing
history.
