East India Company-Mughals Rupee “Transitional Mint” series, INO Mughal Emperor Shah Alam II (Dar al-Khilafa Shahjahanabad)

Strucked after the second conflict (2nd Anglo-maratha war) between the British East India Company and the Maratha Empire to celebrate the winning over the marathas by East India Company. This rupee from Shahjahanabad was issued to Indicate ‘who is now incharge of the city’.

Mughals, East India Company. Rupee
“Transitional Mint” series, 
in the name of the Mughal Emperor Shah ‘Alam II 
(AH 1173-1221; AD 1759-1806)
Wt : 10.95 grams, 24.60 mm

Struck at Dar al-Khilafa Shahjahanabad (Delhi) 
in the Hijri year 1220 in the 47th regnal year of the Emperor. 
Both sides have the legends enclosed within a highly decorative border of roses, thistles and shamrocks. Extremely rare.

This coin was issued whilst the second Maratha war was still being waged . General Lake had defeated Sindia’s army under Louis Bourquien on 11 September 1803 and had occupied Delhi two days later, putting the old and blinded emperor under British protection and leaving Colonel Ochterlony in command of the city.
Mohurs and Rupees of this type, with decorative floral borders are known struck in the years 1219, 1220 and 1221, with regnal years 47 and 48 of Shah ‘Alam II (AD 1404-1806). Interestingly, from regnal year 49 all Shahjahanabad coinage was struck without the decorative, floral border. At this time, not only was the city in the hands of the British but also the mint. They had come to an agreement with the emperor to pay him a subsidy for his upkeep. He, in turn, had insisted that he be paid in Dehli Rupees. It may well be that Mohurs such as the present one were struck to present to the emperor either as part of his subsidy or on some other occasions. The British will also have used this coinage, both Mohurs and Rupees, to indicate clearly who was now in charge in the city and perhaps to celebrate victories in the war against the Marathas.