Asaf Jahi Coins- A Guide

About the Book Asaf Jahi dynasty ruled the erstwhile state of Hyderabad, Deccan, for 224 years between 1724 and 1948 AD. There were ten rulers of this dynasty but only seven were listed as Asaf Jahs and other three are missed out in the chronology of the rulers of this dynasty. as they were not recognized by the Mughal rulers of that period. Asaf Jahs issued coins made of gold, silver and copper and they are known for their excellent calligraphy. Asaf Jah kings were loyal to Mughals and later to the British. There are three types of Asaf Jahi coins. First five kings never issued coins in their own name. The coins in the name of the Mughal rulers minted from the territories held by the five Asaf Jahi kings belonged to them. This is the reason that early Asaf Jahi coinage tends to be missed. Second types of coins were issued by next three kings who issued Mughal type of coins with the addition of their initials on the coins. However, it was in the year 1858 AD when British Crown forced Asaf Jahi rulers to severe their allegiance to Mughals and to stop issue of coins of the Mughal pattern. The third types of coins issued from then on were in the name of Asaf Jahi rulers and these came to be known as 'haali sicca'. Even then Asaf Jahi kings put only their initials on the coin and not their full name. There was only one coin among the coinage of this dynasty which had full name of the issuer namely Mir Mahboob Ali Khan. Last two rulers issued coins of the 'charminar' type which were very popular. This book helps in the identification of Asaf Jahi coinage.

About the Authors Prof. Deme Raja Reddy is an eminent neurosurgeon and a numismatist. He is the Emeritus professor of Neurosurgery at the Nizam's institute of medical sciences at Hyderabad. He has been the past president of South Indian numismatic society of Chennai and presently the editor of its journal 'studies in south Indian coins'.

Samiksha Deme, Interested in the study of Asaf Jahi history including their coins.

Introduction Asaf Jahi dynasty ruled the erstwhile state of Hyderabad, Deccan, for 224 years between 1724 and 1948 AD and this state was also known as 'Nizam's Dominion'. There were ten rulers of this dynasty but only seven were listed as Asaf Jahs and other three are missed out in the chronology of the rulers of this dynasty, as they were not recognized by the Mughal rulers of that period. Asaf Jahs issued coins made of gold, silver and copper. There are three types of Asaf Jahi coins. A) Mughal coins from the mints in the Deccan ruled by Asaf Jahis. First five Asaf Jahi kings did not issue coins in their own name. The coins in the name of the Mughal rulers minted from the territories held by Asaf Jahi kings belonged to them.

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