Nupam's Indian Coins

Coins are reflections of history! The study of coins, also called numismatics, has been definitive and the most widely used tool in deciphering history, especially the ancient history of the Indian subcontinent. When the renaissance of Indian history began in 18th century, it was deciphering of Kharoshthi and Brahmi, (by James Princep) from the bilingual coins of Indo-Greek and Kushan rulers that catapulted historians to an entirely new league, `the Ancient Indian history' that was not only distinct, but also contemporary to the ancient Greeks.

Systematic excavations followed and reading of the numerous ancient pillars, rock inscriptions, copper plates and inscriptions on statues resulted in comprehensive understanding of various dynasties, identities of their rulers and their domains. However, historian were soon facing a new challaenge, these inscriptions/records were very few and often very brief to provide details. Here the coins took a paramount role in uncovering of history, indeed in some cases, coins were the only evidence left. Thus, there are many rulers and at least in one case, almost an entire dynasty (Indo-Greeks) that is known today purely based on its coinage. In addition, the evolution of script on coins, dates, designs, coin making process (especially loss of sophistication as reign progressed) and the metal content further revealed the chronology of rulers within dynasties and the contemporary kingdoms & rulers who copies each other.

India, which historically includes modern India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and parts of Nepal and Afghanistan, is also known as Bharat Varsha, a land of famous King Bharata or Hindustan. The name `India' was applied to this country by Greeks. The early inhabitants of the subcontinent were mystified by the mighty river which they named Sindhu or Sindh (in Sanskrit, it means `like an ocean'). The river Sindhu was called Indus by Greeks and thus the country was called India. The size of the Indian Subcontinent is enormous which is almost as large as Europe without Russia or twenty times bigger than Great Britain.

In ancient Sanskrit text Vishnu Purana, it is written that all the descendants of Bharata (people of India) have been given the land of thousand Yojanas (leagues) which stretch from snowy mountains of Himalayas in the north to Adam's bridge in the south, and from the valley of Bramhaputra river in the east to the land beyond seven mouths of Indus/Sindh river in west.

This webpage is created to provide information to both casual surfer and serious researchers, and contains many interesting coins, common, rare and extremely rare types. It has one of the earliest coins of Indian subcontinent, minted 2600 years ago! You would see the gold coins of Kushan and Gupta dynasties, which are often considered to be one of the finest gold coins of the ancient world. I have also included the first Rupee, the silver coin introduced by Sher Shah Suri. You will also find gold and silver coins of Western & Central Indian dynasties of medieval time, Southern Indian dynasties, Islamic dynasties, Mughal emperors, Maratha rulers, princely state rulers, and set of the coins minted during British Raj.

Most of the coins shown are from my personal collection. If you wish to use the images for book or any other publications, drop me a line and I might be able to provide high resolution slides or pictures or scans of most of the Indian coins (majority of which are not shown on website). You are free to use any of the material shown here for educational purposes. On this webpage, I have magnified most coins twice the actual size (2X) to veiw the finer details more clearly.

Feel free to contact me for all the additional information that you may like to know about any coin/s.The reason Why a Webpage for Indian Coins would become clear as you proceed.

Dr Nupam Mahajan

nupam@msn.com