Mohur
Encyclopedia
A Mohur is a gold coin
that was formerly minted by several governments including British India (including the princely states), the Moghul Empire, Nepal
, and Afghanistan
. It was usually equivalent in value to fifteen silver rupee
s. It was last minted in British India in 1918, but some princely states issued them until absorption into India. Coins were also issued in 2/3 Mohur (10 Rupees) and 1/3 Mohur (5 Rupees) by the British Government, and Half Mohur (7 Rupees, 8 Anna) by some of the Princely States.
The word Mohur was introduced by Sher Shah Suri
during his brief rule in India between 1540-1545. It was used for the gold coin
weighing 169 grains. He also introduced copper
coin
s called Dam
and silver coin
s called Rupiya that weighed 178 grains. Later on, the Mughal Emperors standardised this coinage of tri-metalism across the sub-continent in order to consolidate the monetary system.
' is derived from Sanskrit
word 'Mudra' which means 'symbol', 'seal', as also 'ring' (as finger ornament). Ancient rulers used to seal their documents and acts with their ring dipped in wax or ink. Also, when paying someone, a golden 'mudra' used to be granted. Centuries later, the word remained in use for currency in spite of the form changing from ring to coins.
Coin
A coin is a piece of hard material that is standardized in weight, is produced in large quantities in order to facilitate trade, and primarily can be used as a legal tender token for commerce in the designated country, region, or territory....
that was formerly minted by several governments including British India (including the princely states), the Moghul Empire, Nepal
Nepal
Nepal , officially the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal, is a landlocked sovereign state located in South Asia. It is located in the Himalayas and bordered to the north by the People's Republic of China, and to the south, east, and west by the Republic of India...
, and Afghanistan
Afghanistan
Afghanistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, is a landlocked country located in the centre of Asia, forming South Asia, Central Asia and the Middle East. With a population of about 29 million, it has an area of , making it the 42nd most populous and 41st largest nation in the world...
. It was usually equivalent in value to fifteen silver rupee
Rupee
The rupee is the common name for the monetary unit of account in India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Pakistan, Mauritius, Seychelles, Maldives, and formerly in Burma, and Afghanistan. Historically, the first currency called "rupee" was introduced in the 16th century...
s. It was last minted in British India in 1918, but some princely states issued them until absorption into India. Coins were also issued in 2/3 Mohur (10 Rupees) and 1/3 Mohur (5 Rupees) by the British Government, and Half Mohur (7 Rupees, 8 Anna) by some of the Princely States.
The word Mohur was introduced by Sher Shah Suri
Sher Shah Suri
Sher Shah Suri , birth name Farid Khan, also known as Sher Khan , was the founder of the short-lived Sur Empire in northern India, with its capital at Delhi, before its demise in the hands of the resurgent Mughal Empire...
during his brief rule in India between 1540-1545. It was used for the gold coin
Gold coin
A gold coin is a coin made mostly or entirely of gold. Gold has been used for coins practically since the invention of coinage, originally because of gold's intrinsic value...
weighing 169 grains. He also introduced copper
Copper
Copper is a chemical element with the symbol Cu and atomic number 29. It is a ductile metal with very high thermal and electrical conductivity. Pure copper is soft and malleable; an exposed surface has a reddish-orange tarnish...
coin
Coin
A coin is a piece of hard material that is standardized in weight, is produced in large quantities in order to facilitate trade, and primarily can be used as a legal tender token for commerce in the designated country, region, or territory....
s called Dam
Dam (coin)
This article is about coinage. For other uses, see Dam .A Dam was a small Indian copper coin. The coin was first introduced by Sher Shah Suri during his rule of India between 1540 and 1545, along with Mohur, the gold coin and Rupiya the silver coin Later on, the Mughal Emperors standardised the...
and silver coin
Silver coin
Silver coins are possibly the oldest mass produced form of coinage. Silver has been used as a coinage metal since the times of the Greeks. Their silver drachmas were popular trade coins....
s called Rupiya that weighed 178 grains. Later on, the Mughal Emperors standardised this coinage of tri-metalism across the sub-continent in order to consolidate the monetary system.
Etymology
The word 'Mohur' or 'MohorMohor
Mohar is one of the denominations of the Nepalese Rupee. One mohar is equal to 50 paisa and two mohars make a rupee. Also, two sukaas make a mohar.Mohar named for Nepalese Rupee from Mahendra Malla in 16th century...
' is derived from Sanskrit
Sanskrit
Sanskrit , is a historical Indo-Aryan language and the primary liturgical language of Hinduism, Jainism and Buddhism.Buddhism: besides Pali, see Buddhist Hybrid Sanskrit Today, it is listed as one of the 22 scheduled languages of India and is an official language of the state of Uttarakhand...
word 'Mudra' which means 'symbol', 'seal', as also 'ring' (as finger ornament). Ancient rulers used to seal their documents and acts with their ring dipped in wax or ink. Also, when paying someone, a golden 'mudra' used to be granted. Centuries later, the word remained in use for currency in spite of the form changing from ring to coins.