The recent chance discovery of ancient coins of Sultanate period datable to circa 12th century CE, from Jammus

Kot Bhalwal Jail premises, has generated lot of interest amongst general public as well as scholars and historians. While for public it is like virtual consummation of primeval human pre-occupation with fairly tale run into with hidden treasures, unexpected gains, for the writers of history the latest discovery has come as an opportunity to re-assess the influence of Delhi Sultanate on Jammu region as revealed in number of old textual sources. Along with conventional sources used for penning down past of a place and its people like manuscripts, epigraphs, visual arts et al, coins have also proved to be a reliable material source for reconstruction of administrative and other alternate histories of the issuing dynasty. The study of coins called Numismatics, in fact has been used for historiography in India as far back as the 12th century by Kalhana, the author of, Rajatarangini. The presence of scripts and system of weights was well established during Harrapan culture, which also marks the first urbanization in Indian sub-continent. But according to modern scholars the coined money was current from the Vedic period that extended from circa 2500 to 800 BCE. It is with earliest punch mark coins, that the origin of coinage is firmly associated with second urbanization, which took place in Gangetic valley in from 800 BCE onwards. The literary sources such as Paninis Ashtadhayi, Buddhist cannons and Jataka stories, Kautilyas Arthashashtra, refer to coinskahapana, ardha kahapanna, pada, mashaka, kaakani et al. Ancient coins have been discovered on surface, in excavations and in hoards. The evidence of coins is partly internal like physical body of the coin; kinds and proportions of metals or the fabric used, weight, distinct types and their continuation, symbols and monograms, legend inscriptions with names of cities, corporations etc. While the partly external evidence speaks of outside association of the coin such as geographical distribution, quantity as related to quality, over-striking: when a ruler strikes his emblem or symbol over coins already issued by a previous authority. For instance the purity of the coins also reveals the economic conditions of a period, their discovery away from the place of their origin can give an idea bout about the extant of circulation which in turn can throw light on political and economical influence of issuing dynasty, authority. The earlier coins discovered in India are of copper and silver. However, ancient coins of gold, lead, etc., have also been found. The earliest coins contain a few symbols, but the later coins mention the names of kings and gods or dates Like other parts of the country, ancient coins have been found in quite a large numbers from Jammu region. Some of the significant finds include coins of Greeks, Indo-Greeks and Kushanas

the powerful dynasties that one way or the other held sway on Jammu region like other parts of north India from 4th BCE onwards. The gold coins were issued for the first time in India by the Kushanas but before them were Indo-Greeks or Indo Bacterians, Indo Sythians, Indo-Parthains. Wima Khadphises successor of Kujula Khadpises was the last Kushana king to issue the bi-lingual coins. His reign is landmark in history of Kushanas coinage because he introduced the extensive gold coins in India for the first time probably for reason s of growing international trade. Kanishka also issued coins in gold and silver. Sassanians during Ardarshir-212-41 CE, --Kidara KushanasC 340 CE, became ruler of Kashmir and central Punjab.-they all continued gold coins

The coins also help historians in ascertaining the religious leanings of those kings Jammu borders Kashmir to the north, Ladakh to the east, and Himachal Pradesh and Punjab to the south. In the west, the Line of Control separates Jammu from the Pakistan region called Azad Jammu and Kashmir. Sandwiched between the Vale of Kashmir to the north and the Daman Koh Plains to the south, the Shivalik Range comprises most of the region of Jammu. The Pir Panjal Range, the Trikuta Hills and the low-lying Tawi River basin add beauty and diversity to the terrain of Jammu. The Pir Panjal range separates Jammu from the Kashmir valley. Prior to the 14th century Jammu and Kashmir were ruled by a series of Buddhist and Hindu dynasties. As Islam tightened its hold on the northwest of India, a succession of Muslim sultans occupied Kashmir until Akbar's annexation in 1587, after which it became the summer capital of the emperors of Delhi. Billawar was the capital till 1630. ... 28 Jul 1589 May 1752 1816 05 Jul 1819 1820 15 Mar 1846 27 Oct 1947 26 Jan 1957 Kingdom of Kashmir established in remote (legendary) antiquity; State of Jammu established in early Middle Ages Kashmir incorporated into (Mughal) Empire of Hind Kashmir conquered by the newly founded Afghan kingdom Jammu annexed to the Punjab Kashmir annexed to the Punjab independence of Jammu restored U.K. government cedes Kashmir to the ruler of Jammu, thus creating the state of Jammu and Kashmir the ruler of Jammu and Kashmir declares the accession of the state to India the incorporation of Jammu and Kashmir into India is declared to be complete

DOGRA Rajput (title: Raja) Jambu-Lochana He is consider to be the founder of Jammu State, near river Tawi. He was the brother of Raja Bahu Lochan who constructed a fort on the bank of river Tawi. Bahu Fort is one of the famous historical places of Jammu. Unknown rulers Kirtidhara Ajyadhara Vijayadhara Vajradhara Vajraladhara Unknown rulers Suraj Dev..............................................c. 850 - c. 920 Bhoj Dev...............................................c. 920 - 987 Avtar Dev S/o Bhoj Dev....................................987 - 1030 Jas Dev..................................................1030 - 1061 Founded the town of Jasrota, later made the capital of Jasrota State. Sangram Dev..............................................1061 - 1095 Jasaskar.................................................1095 - 1165 Brij Dev.................................................1165 - 1216 Narsing Dev..............................................1216 - 1258 Nominal Mongol over lordship..............................1240 - c. 1345
o o

Arjan Dev...........................................1258 - 1313 Jodh Dev............................................1313 - 1361

Mal Dev..................................................1361 - 1400 Hamir Dev................................................1400 - 1423

Delhi....................................................1423 - 1526
o o o

Ajab Dev Virama Dev Ghogar Dev

Mughal Empire............................................1526 - 1530 Kapur Dev................................................1530 - 1570 During his reign the state was split between the twin sons; Samil Dev and Jai Dev. Jai Dev received Bahu as his share of the patrimony, his descendants becoming known as Bahuwals. Samil Dev................................................1570 - 1594 His descendants became known as Jamwals. Jai Dev (Bahu) S/o Kapur Dev.............................1570 - 1585 Parasram Dev (Bahu) S/o Jai Dev..........................1585 - 1610 Sangram..................................................1594 - 1624 Ancestor of the Dalpatpur Royal Family. Krishen Dev (Bahu) S/o Parasram Dev......................1610 - 1635 Bhup Dev.................................................1624 - 1650 Azmat Dev (Bahu) S/o Krishen Dev.........................1635 - 1660 Hari Dev.................................................1650 - 1686 Grandson of Raja Sangram Dev, during his reign Bahu was reunited to Jammu, married daughter of Raja Suraj Sen of Mandi. Ancestor of the Aknur/Akhnoor Royal Family. Kirpal Dev (Bahu) S/o Krishen Dev........................1660 - ? Gujai Dev (Gujja Singh)..................................1686 - 1703 Dhruv Dev S/o Gujai Dev..................................1703 - 1725 Balwant Singh S/o Dhruv Dev (Jasrota)....................1725 - 1763 Ranjit Dev S/o Dhruv Dev.................................1725 - 1780 Dalel Singh S/o Ranjit Dev...............................1780 - 1782 Brij Raj Dev S/o Ranjit Dev.......................04 Apr 1782 - 1787 Sampuran Singh S/o Brij Raj Dev..........................1787 - Jun 1797

Jit Singh S/o Dalel Singh............................Jun 1797 - 1816

Sikh Empire (Punjab).....................................1816 - 1820 Jammu came under the control of Maharaja Ranjit Singh Ji and became a part of the Sikh Empire. Maharaja Ranjit Singh soon appointed Gulab Singh Ji as the ruler of Jammu. Kishore Singh............................................1820 - 1822 Jagirdar of Andarwah and was a distant kinsman of Jit Singh. He died in 1922. Gulab Singh S/o Kishore Singh (Kashmir 1846-1856).04 May 1822 - 20 Feb 1856

After the death of Maharaja Ranjit Singh in 1839, the Sikh Empire was defeated by the British after Maharaja Duleep Singh and was taken to England under the orders of The Company. By the Treaty of Amritsar in 1846 the British established Gulab Singh, a relative of Ranjit Singh, as the ruler of the entire region. Not having the resources to occupy the hills immediately after annexing parts of Punjab, the British recognized him, the strongest ruler north of the Sutlej River, as ruler of Jammu and Kashmir. But for this he had to pay a sum of Rs. 75 Lakhs in cash; this payment being legal as the Maharaja was a former vassal of the Sikh Empire and was partly responsible for its treaty obligations. Thus he is credited as the founder of Jammu and Kashmir. Jammu conjoined with Kashmir from 15 Mar 1846 onwards. Maharaja Gulab Singh declared himself as Maharaja of Jammu and Kashmir on 09 Nov 1846. In 1948 partition, most of Jammu was occupied by India. Other sons of Kishore Singh were: Raja-i-Rajgan Raja Kalan Bahadur Dhian Singh, born 22nd August 1796, employed in 1812 by his elder brother, Gulab Singh, as a trooper on a monthly salary of sixty rupees, in 1818 became deorhidar or chamberlain to the royal household. He took part in the battle of Naushera in March 1823. He was granted a large number of jagirs in the hilly country of Jammu, including that of Poonch in 1827, and created Raja in 1822, and Rajai-Rajgan Raja Kalan Bahadur on 20th June 1827, and further created Naib-us-Salatnati-'Azamat, Khairkhwah-i-Samimi-i-Daulat-i-Sirkar-i-Kubra, Wazir-i-'Azam, Dastur-iMu'azzam, Mukhtar-i-Mulk, made a Wazir, principal minister or counsellor of the Sikh State 1828 to1843, married two princesses of Siba State and had children. He died 15th September 1843. Raja Hira Singh, born 1816 at Ramgarh, about 25 km from Jammu, Prime Minister of the Sikh kingdom of Lahore from 17th September 1843 to 21st December 1844 under Maharaja Ranjit Singh. Ranjit Singh conferred upon him the title of Raja in 1828 of Poonch, and of Jasrota in 1834, as well as proclaiming him Farzandi-Khas, i.e. the favoured son, married the grand-daughter of Mian Fateh Chand of Kangra-Rajgir and died on 21st December 1844.

Raja Jawahir Singh, 3rd Raja of Poonch. Raja Moti Singh, 4th Raja of Poonch.

Raja Suchet Singh, born 18th January 1801, in 1822. He was created Raja of Bandralta and Samba, as well as Raja of Ramnagar, he was also made the commander of the Charyari Sowars, Ranjit Singh's crack cavalry brigade. He took part in the Peshawar campaigns of 1834-1835 and 1837 and was charged with the administration of Tonk and Bannu area in 1836. In recognition of his services in the Peshawar campaigns, Jasrota was farmed out to him in July 1835, Atalgarh and Kothi were given him as jagir in December 1836, and Nadaun worth 70,000 rupees in May 1838. He held jagirs worth 306,865 rupees annually, got married, his ranis committed sati. He died on 27th March 1844 in Lahore. Early Indian coins: c.320 BCE - 180 CE: Maurya 1206-1526: Sultanate of Delhi

c.315-1660: Southern Indian Empires 1526-1539: Mughal Empire 1539-1555: Suri 1555-1858: Mughal Empire 1765-1858: East India Company

British India coins:

1858-1901: Victoria 1901-1910: Edward VII 1911-1936: George V 1938-1947: George VI

Coins of Indian Princely States and other colonies:

1775-1949: Alwar 1724-1950: Hyderabad c. 1000 BCE - 1846: Jammu (current page) c. 1000 BCE - 1948: Kashmir 1147-1948: Kutch 1510-1961: Portuguese India 1799-1849: Sikh Empire

1716-1799: The Sikhs (Gurus) and Khalsa Military Government However, ancient coins of gold, lead, etc., have also been found. The earliest coins of India contain a few symbols, but the later coins mention the names of kings and gods or dates.

Ancient people would store money in earthenware or brass vessels. Many such hoards, containing I both indigenous coins and those minted abroad such I as in the Roman Empire, have been discovered in I different parts of the country. The areas where they I are found indicate the region of their circulation. These coins have enabled us to reconstruct the history and extent of several ruling dynasties, especially of the Indo-Greeks. About 31 of the Indo- Greek kings and queens have been known mainly from coins alone. Much of the history of the Kushanas has been revealed to us through their coins. Much of the political life of the Sakas of Ujjain comes to us only through coins. Coins are a good source of administrative as well as constitutional history. The ancient coins celebrate the victory of republics in some cases. They thus confirm the prevalence of a republican constitution in ancient India. The administration under the Sakas and the Pahlavas has been reconstructed largely on the basis of coins. The purity of the coins also reveals the economic conditions of a period. Ancient people would store money in earthenware or brass vessels. Many such hoards, containing both indigenous coins and those minted abroad such as in the Roman Empire, have been discovered in different parts of the country. Coins also portray kings and gods, and contain religious symbols and legends, by which one can get an idea of the art and religion of the time. Portraits on some of the Indo-Greek coins are considered the best examples of ancient portraiture art The study of ancient and medieval Indian coins brought to light the names of many kings about whose existence there was no literary or inscriptional evidence. For example the recent discovery of Kotalingala coins in the Karimnagar district of Andhra brought out the coins of unknown Kings namely Gobada, Narana, Kamvayasa , Sirivayasa and Samagopa. These kings ruled part of Andhra after the fall of Mauryan empire and they preceded Satavahanas. It is also true of medieval period when kings like Yildis and Qubacha ruled parts of Northwestern India during the rule of some Delhi sultans. These kings were known to the historians as governors of those provinces but their coins prove that they were independent rulers. Same is true of many such kings in different parts of India who came to be known through their coin finds.
The coins also helped in corroborating the information provided in puranas. Vayu, Vishnu, Brahmanda, Baghavata and Matsya puranas mention about Satavahana kings and coins of some of those kings found in different parts of Deccan support the puranas. But facts provided by coins seem to be more accurate than puranas. For example name of the first king of this dynasty is mentioned variously as Chismaka, Sindhuka, Balyhita, Simuka etc in different Puranas but coins name him as Chimuka which must be correct since they were issued during his rule while puranas were written centuries later and hence many inaccuracies crept into them. Coins of some rulers of the family were found which were missed out in the Puranas namely Kumba and Karna. Hence coins help in reconstructing our ancient history much more accurately than what is possible from other sources.

KM#10.1 Rupee. Year: VS 1841 RY27 (1784). Weight: 10.74g. Metal: Sliver. Diameter: 25 mm. Edge: Plain. Alignment: Medal, slightly rotated. Mint: Dar-ul-Aman Jammu. Mintage: N/A. Minted Years: VS 1841 RY27 and VS1841 RY28 [both consider to be minted in 1784]. Ruler: Brij Raj Dev, but struck in the name of Ranjit Dev. Note: The reignal year (RY) used on Jammu coins is related to Mughal emperor: Shah Alam II, who ruled from AH 1173 to 1221 (1753 to 1806 CE). These coins have been minted using his regnal year from AH 1193 RY21 (1779 CE) to AH 1198 RY26 (1783 CE) and also as VS 1841 RY27 and RY28 (1784 CE). Evidently new obverse dies were produced regularly because of the need to change AH dates or mintmarks, but old reverse dies with obsolete reignal year were used until worn out. Jammu coins were produced during the rule Ranjit Dev and Brij Raj Dev.
BY JK ON DECEMBER 20, 2004 IN HISTORY: INDIA

Ancient coins belonging to the era of Hindu kings Harsha and Kalsha have been unearthed by some labourers during construction work at Watnar near Kokernag in Anantnag district of Jammu and Kashmir. An earthen urn containing the copper coins weighing 16.3 kgs and dating back to at least 10 centuries were found by the labourers a few days back when they were working on the plinth for construction of a religious school, the Department of Archaeology, Archives and Museums (AAM) said here today. Describing them as priceless, an AAM spokesman told reporters, the coins are of Hindu period and were in vogue during the reign of Harsha and Kalsha. The urn was handed over by the labourers to Deputy Commissioner Ananantag who handed them over to the department. The department did not give the actual number of coins in the urn but said research would be conducted to decipher the language inscribed on them as also to find out the exact age. [Ancient coins unearthed in J-K] Harsha who ruled from 1089-1111 AD started as a noble king, but later as he ran into financial troubles, he started destroying temples for gold. He even had an office for the destruction of gods.

Related posts: 1. Kuninda Coins The Kunindas are a tribe who were dominant in Himachal Pradesh sometime between 1st century BC and 3 rd century AD. I looked up all the history books I have... History through coins There is a coin exhibition going on in Trivandrum, which is like a narration of the whole history of Kerala state. The coins on show include the silver Purana, issued... Buddha and Indra in Taxila An archaeological excavation in Taxila has discovered both Buddhist and Hindu artifacts dating back to the first century AD. The Pakistan governments archaeology department has discovered eight antiquities dating back... 900-year-old Jain idols unearthed bq. VADODARA: Jains in Khambhat taluka of Anand were overjoyed when around 65 idols temple were unearthed at a construction site in the town. Inscriptions on them suggested that they... Burrial urns in Palani In the middle of this year some urns dating to about 800 BC were found in Adichanallur near Tirunelveli in Tamil Nadu. Now some burrial urns from the period 3...

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BY JK ON DECEMBER 20, 2004 IN HISTORY: INDIA

Ancient coins belonging to the era of Hindu kings Harsha and Kalsha have been unearthed by some labourers during construction work at Watnar near Kokernag in Anantnag district of Jammu and Kashmir. An earthen urn containing the copper coins weighing 16.3 kgs and dating back to at least 10 centuries were found by the labourers a few days back when they were

working on the plinth for construction of a religious school, the Department of Archaeology, Archives and Museums (AAM) said here today. Describing them as priceless, an AAM spokesman told reporters, the coins are of Hindu period and were in vogue during the reign of Harsha and Kalsha. The urn was handed over by the labourers to Deputy Commissioner Ananantag who handed them over to the department. The department did not give the actual number of coins in the urn but said research would be conducted to decipher the language inscribed on them as also to find out the exact age. [Ancient coins unearthed in J-K] Harsha who ruled from 1089-1111 AD started as a noble king, but later as he ran into financial troubles, he started destroying temples for gold. He even had an office for the destruction of gods. Related posts: 1. Kuninda Coins The Kunindas are a tribe who were dominant in Himachal Pradesh sometime between 1st century BC and 3 rd century AD. I looked up all the history books I have...
BY JK ON DECEMBER 20, 2004 IN HISTORY: INDIA

Ancient coins belonging to the era of Hindu kings Harsha and Kalsha have been unearthed by some labourers during construction work at Watnar near Kokernag in Anantnag district of Jammu and Kashmir. An earthen urn containing the copper coins weighing 16.3 kgs and dating back to at least 10 centuries were found by the labourers a few days back when they were working on the plinth for construction of a religious school, the Department of Archaeology, Archives and Museums (AAM) said here today. Describing them as priceless, an AAM spokesman told reporters, the coins are of Hindu period and were in vogue during the reign of Harsha and Kalsha. The urn was handed over by the labourers to Deputy Commissioner Ananantag who handed them over to the department. The department did not give the actual number of coins in the urn but said research would be conducted to decipher the language inscribed on them as also to find out the exact age. [Ancient coins unearthed in J-K] Harsha who ruled from 1089-1111 AD started as a noble king, but later as he ran into financial troubles, he started destroying temples for gold. He even had an office for the destruction of gods. Related posts:

1.

Kuninda Coins The Kunindas are a tribe who were dominant in Himachal Pradesh sometime between 1st century BC and 3 rd century AD. I looked up all the history books I have... 2. Kuninda coins found
From Hari Chauhan

3. SHIMLA: A hoard of 174 Kuninda coins have been found in Pandoa village in Shimla
district. This hoard comprising 40 silver and 134 copper coins has been acquired by the State museum here. 4. The Kunindas were dominant in Himachal Pradesh for a long time. They are mentioned in epics and puranas. In the Mahabharata they are known to have been defeated by Arjuna. In the Vishnu Purana the Kuninda territory has been named specifically as Kulindopatyaka foothills. Varahamehra also places them somewhere in the Himalayan region. 5. On the basis of literary sources Cunningham has identified the ancient Kulindas with the present day Kunets of Kulu and Shimla. Ptolemy believed the origin of Kuninda in the country irrigated by the river Ganga, Yamuna, Sutlej and Beas. 6. Incidentally most of the Kuninda coins have been found in places associated with these rivers e.g. Kashipur, Kumaon, Saharnpur, Garhwal, Haryana and Punjab. In Himachal, Kuninda coins have been found at Tappa-Mewa in Hamirpur district, Jawalamukhi and Kangra. A hoard of coins was discovered at Chakker in the Balh valley. With the study of these coins and the knowledge of the places from where the discoveries were made one can conclude that this Kuninda tribe ruled this region from 1st century B.C. to 3rd century A.D. 7. The Kuninda issued two types of coins. One type was issued about 1st century B.C. and the other about three centuries later. The present hoard was issued during the 1st century B.C. and bears the name Amogbhuti. 8. The obverse of the coin is in Brahmi and reverse in Khroshti. The obverse has a deer on the right and Lakshmi is facing it. On the reverse a five- arched hill surmounted by Nandipada, on the right a tree in the railing and on the left two swastik and Inderdhwaja. At the bottom is a wavy line representing a river