Lot 351

Mughal, Akbar (AH 963-1014, 1556-1605 AD), Silver Square Rupee, 11.42 gms, 19.58 mm, Bang Mint (Dār al-zarb Bang دارالضرب بنگ (Bengal), AH 977, unlisted date in km, Jhar privy mark at end of Muhammad in reverse legend, KM # A86.1, extra fine, very rare.

The province of Bengal was ruled by the Sher Shahs as tributaries to the Mughal emperor, but the Bengal sultans raised constant disputes with their overlord Akbar, and finally in 1577 AD he deposed and executed Daud and annexed the sultanate. These rare first Mughal rupee of Bang (Bangala) mark the occupation of a land that was never accepting of Mughal rule, although the new province would prove to be the wealthiest and most fertile of the empire. The expansion of revenue brought about by the acquisition of Bengal necessitated the creation of a new imperial position in 1579 AD, that of diwan or minister of finance for the provinces. The Diwan served as a sort of Governor-General, responsible for the collection and distribution of funds, reporting directly to the emperor, and would have been in charge of the administration of the increasing number of provincial mints. The Diwan thus controlled the levers of power in the provinces, and became a most influential figure in the imperial court. Rarely offered in any auction with full mint name.