INDIA, Assam-Mohur

Assam, Rajesvara Simha, Gold Mohur, 11.39g, Saka Year 1678, AD 1756

The inscription on the Mohur is in Sanskrit written in the Bengali script, as below:

Obv: Within dotted border "Sri Sri Swargdeo Sri Rajeshwara Simha Nripsya Sake 1678" (God of Heaven, King Rajesvara Simha, Saka Year 1678), a small lion facing left featured below.

Rev: Within dotted border "Sri Sri Har Gouri Charna Kamala Makarand Madhukarysa" (A bee on the nectar of the lotus on the feet of Goddess Gouri or Gauri i.e. Goddess Parvati).

Popular legend has it that the Ahom Kingdom was eight sided hence the rulers of Assam minted their coins in Octagonal shape. The rulers had both an Ahom name (Surem Phaa) as well as a Hindu name (Rajesvara Simha) and dated their coins in SE (Saka Era). The coins of Assam bore legends in Ahom, Bengali, Devanagari and Persian.

Most unusual coin with its unique shape unlike any other coins minted during that period in India. It also represents indigenous skill and craftmanship as well as an independent streak devoid of the Muslim (Sultanate, Mughal) and British influence.