Marudhar Arts
Auction 38 25 Feb 2023
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Jahangir (AH 1014-1037/1605-1627 AD) Burhanpur Mint, Silver Nisar 1/20 Rupee (Suki), 6 RY, Month Tir (Cancer), Elahi Type, Obv: Persian legend "(Shah Noor ud) din (Jahangir) ibn (Akbar Badshah)", Rev: Persian legend Elahi month "Tir" at the top, "zarb Burhanpur" with 6 regnal year at the bottom, 0.50g, 7.49mm, (Unlisted in KM), beautiful motifs, about extremely fine, Extremely Rare.
Note: Among all Mughal emperors, Jahangir displayed a unique predisposition towards his coinage. He initiated the practice of striking special coins for court rituals like Nazr and Nisar. Of these, the Nisar coins functioned as agents to disperse the ill effects of the "evil eye" by distracting the public to make them look away while the emperor presented himself, at the court, or while in procession. Jahangir mentions several times in his autobiography the amount of money he scattered away while staging processions in cities like Ahmadabad - however, it is apparent that the ritual was carried out by other high-ranking members or officials because Nisars are known from places, where the emperor never visited.
Nisar's are often struck in low denominations ostensibly to make a certain amount last when it was scattered over a certain time span while the ritual or procession ensued. But most such very low denomination Nisars are very rare as their chances of survival in circulation were limited. Fractions such as Dassa or 1/10 rupee and Suki or 1/20 rupee are some of the rarest Mughal coins.
Only a few existing pieces are known of this denomination, seldom offered in the auction!
Note: Among all Mughal emperors, Jahangir displayed a unique predisposition towards his coinage. He initiated the practice of striking special coins for court rituals like Nazr and Nisar. Of these, the Nisar coins functioned as agents to disperse the ill effects of the "evil eye" by distracting the public to make them look away while the emperor presented himself, at the court, or while in procession. Jahangir mentions several times in his autobiography the amount of money he scattered away while staging processions in cities like Ahmadabad - however, it is apparent that the ritual was carried out by other high-ranking members or officials because Nisars are known from places, where the emperor never visited.
Nisar's are often struck in low denominations ostensibly to make a certain amount last when it was scattered over a certain time span while the ritual or procession ensued. But most such very low denomination Nisars are very rare as their chances of survival in circulation were limited. Fractions such as Dassa or 1/10 rupee and Suki or 1/20 rupee are some of the rarest Mughal coins.
Only a few existing pieces are known of this denomination, seldom offered in the auction!