Awadh State Wajid Ali Shah Silver Rupee Bait-us-Sultanat Lakhnau Mulk Awadh Akhtarnagar Mint

Nawab Wajid Ali Shah (1847–1856 AD), the last king of Awadh, is remembered as a great patron of art, poetry, dance, and music, who enriched Lucknow’s cultural heritage. Despite his refined tastes and love for literature, his reign faced increasing British pressure, leading to the annexation of Awadh in 1856. This silver rupee, struck in AH 1266 / RY 3 at the Bait-us-Sultanat Lakhnau Mulk Awadh Akhtarnagar Mint, weighs 11.05 g and measures 25.54 mm. The coin carries Persian inscriptions praising divine support, with motifs of parasol, mermaids, and crossed swords, reflecting royal dignity and power.