Murshidabad mint, Silver 1 Rupee, During the era of Murshid Quli Khan, Governor of the Bengal Province, Mughal Emperor, Farrukhsiyar, 1713–1719 CE (AH 1125–1131), Denomination: Rupee, Composition: Silver, Weight: 11.58 grams, Diameter: 21.13 mm, AH 1126-1127 / 3 RY, Reference: KM# 377.49, About Very Fine, Very Scarce.

Obverse: Arabic-Persian inscription with Hijri date.

Reverse: Arabic-Persian inscription showing regnal year and Murshidabad mint name.

“This coin was issued during the governorship of Murshid Quli Khan in Bengal, clearly attributable to his period, representing the early transitional phase leading to the establishment of the Bengal Nawabi state”

Murshid Quli Khan was appointed Governor (Subahdar) of Bengal in 1713 CE during the reign of Mughal Emperor Farrukhsiyar, and he held effective control until 1727 CE. Born as Kartar Chand, a Hindu Brahmin, he later embraced Islam and rose through the Mughal financial administration due to his exceptional revenue skills. He founded Murshidabad around 1704 CE and gradually shifted the provincial capital there from Dhaka, making it the administrative, financial, and mint center of Bengal.

Under his authority, the Bengal Subah included Bengal, Bihar, and Orissa, and although Mughal emperors were nominally acknowledged, Murshid Quli Khan exercised near-independent control, especially over revenue and the army. In 1717–1718 CE, he formally assumed the title of Nawab Nazim, marking the beginning of the Bengal Nawabi state. He constructed mosques, administrative buildings, and strengthened Murshidabad’s infrastructure. His tomb lies at Katra Masjid, Murshidabad.

The present rupee dated AH 1126–1127 / RY 3 reflects this transitional phase—struck in the Mughal emperor’s name but under Murshid Quli Khan’s firm provincial authority, symbolizing the shift from imperial governance to regional nawabi power.

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