Rohilkhand State (1721-1774) and Coins

 

The Kingdom of Rohilkhand was a powerful Indian State, nominally under Mughal Suzerainty, that arose under the declining Mughal Empire in 1721 and continued to exist until 1774 when annexation by the British transformed its significantly reduced borders into the Princely State of Rampur. 

                                            

Rohilhkand Coin, Shah Alam II, 1784 AD

 

The ancient name for Rohilkhand was Katehir. Located on the eastern side of the Ganges, Rohilkhand lies much over the plain that eventually leads to Oudh. There is no no natural barrier between them and both share a damp climate due to their location next to the Himalayan range.

                                           

          Rohilkhand Territory in 1765 AD
 

In the beginning of the 18th century, Afghans had migrated to the region in large quantities and sought employment under the Mughal Empire especially in the military. With the death of Aurangzeb and the collapse of the administration under emperor Muhammad Shah, an enterprising soldier, Ali Mohammad Khan established the Kingdom of Rohilkhand

Flag of the Kingdom of Rohilkhand

                                             

Nawab Ali Mohammed Khan, a scion of the ancient Barha Dynasty became the first Nawab of Rohilkhand, having been previously elected as overlord by various Afghan Chiefs at the age of fourteen. By 1740 he was officially recognized by Emperor Muhammad Shah as governor. For the next five years his authority was unchallenged. In 1748, the invasion by Ahmad Shah Abdali allowed Ali Mohammad the opportunity to return to Katehir and re-establish his rule. Soon he was the independent ruler of Rohilkhand with all positions of power given to the Afghans.

 He would carve out the future kingdom from the collapsing Mughal Empire and go on to found the Rohilla Dynasty. The kingdom came to an end in 1774 and thereafter the dynasty ruled over Rampur. The weakening of the central government led to the division of Rohilkhand at the request of the Afghan Emperor Ahmed Shah Abdali for the sons of Ali Muhammad. These were Badaun, Moradabad, Rampur, Bareilly, Najibabad, Farrukhabad, Pilibhit and Bisollee.

                                            

Tomb of Ali Mohammad Khan, Aonla, Bareilly

At the time of its annexation in 1947, Rohilkhand represented an area of 12,000 square miles, with a population of 6 million people. It extended from Haridwar to Oudh. 

                                             

Rohilkhand Medical College and Hospital, Bareilly

                                            

         Bareilly College

Coins of Rohilkhand

                                           

One Rupee, Alamgir II, 1755-1760 AD, silver, weight 10.9 gm, Bareilly mint, obverse has Alamgir II with date and reverse has regnal year 4

 

                                               

One Rupee, Shah Alam II, 1759 AD, silver, weight 11.2 gm, obverse has inscription ''Alamgir'' II with date and on reverse has mint name and regnal year ''Nun'' and five dots, Muradabad mint

                                                

   

One Rupee, Shah Alam II, 1759-1806 AD, silver, weight 11.1 gm. obverse has Haft kishwar couplet. leterring ''sikka zad bar haft kishwar saya-yi fazl hami-yi din-i ilah muhammad shah alam badshah'' and reverse has a vertical dagger or katar mint mark, RY 26 to left with leterring ''zarb Najibabad, sanah, julus, manus, maimanat''

                                                   

One Rupee, Shah Alam  II, 1763 AD, silver, weight 11.2 gm with obverse having inscription ''Shah Alam II'' and date and reverse having mint name, Muradabad and regnal year 4 

                                                

One Rupee, Shah Alam II, 1770-1778 AD, silver, weight 11.2 gm, obverse has ''Shah Alam II, and AH date and reverse has cluster of cross-like ornaments, regnal year 19 and mint name Anwala

                                              

One Rupee, Shah Alam II, 1784 AD, silver, weight 10.9 gm, obverse has an umberella, '' in the name of Shah Alam II, AH 1198 and reverse has regnal year 25, Qasbah Panipat mint

                                               

 

Mohur, Shah Alam II, 1762-1773 AD, gold, weight 11.3 gm, RY 13, Zabita Khan

Kingdom of Rohilkhand

Coins of Rohilkhand