Akbar's Ram-Sita coins depict true secular spirit: NSI

Hyderabad: Marking the secular spirit of his rule, the greatest of Mughal rulers Jalaluddin Muhammad Akbar issued “Ram Sita” coins that depicted Ram and Sita, one of papers submitted at the 103rd Annual Conference of Numismatic Society of India (NSI) pointed out. The coins carried the title Govinda and Ilahi as well as “Allah Hu Akbar”.

The three-day numismatic meet started at the Salar Jung Museum here on Saturday. Participants from across India are participating in the conference, which gives all the enthusiasts an opportunity to know about new discoveries regarding old and ancient coins, such as rare hoards of coining, metalology, differences in coinage and their role in social and cultural lives of the day.

NSI chairman Deeme Raja Reddy, a neurosurgeon by profession, moderated the paper presentations and lectures. “It is a proud moment that this conference is being held after 80 years in our city,” underlined conference secretary Verander, on the eve of NSI members’ visit to the Government Mint near Secretariat here on Monday.

Dr Yogita Mishra Bajpai of Jamshedpur, speaking to Deccan Chronicle, said, “Akbar is well known for establishing ’Deen-e-Ilahi’ religion, which respected both Hinduism and Islam. This aspect finds proof in Akbar issuing Ram Sita coins carrying the title “Govinda, Ilahi”. There are also coins with message “Allah Hu Akbar” meaning Allah is Great’ on one side and the other side reading “Halke Jalal Hu”, which means “God with divine shine and majesty.”

Dr Yogita explained that Akbar issued Ilahi coins of three types in the name of 12 Ilahi months. Gold coins, muhar, and silver coins, rupiya, both weighing 11 to 11.5 gm, and copper coins, tanka, gaya and dam, weighing 20 gm. Akbar took personal interest in coinage and appointed one of his most skilful engravers Moulana Ali Ahmed for minting these coins. In AH 987 two interesting silver rupees had been minted from Lahore, Ahmedabad and Tandah mints, Dr Yogita said in her paper.