Akbar Decorative style Square Silver Rupee Mughal Coin Ilahi 32

Mughal Empire, Jalal ud-Din Muhammad Akbar, (AH 963-1014, 1556-1605 CE), Denomination: Rupee, Composition: Silver, Shape: Square, Weight: 11.25 grams, Diameter: 17×17 mm, Ilahi 32, Mintless & Monthless Veriety, obv: Allahu Akbar, Rev: Jalle Jalalhu Ilahi 32, Reference: KM 91.1, About Very Fine, Scarce.

Jalal ud-Din Muhammad Akbar (r. 1556–1605 CE) was one of the greatest Mughal emperors, known for administrative reforms, religious tolerance, and imperial consolidation across northern India. He introduced innovative policies in governance, revenue administration, and culture, moving away from rigid orthodoxy toward a more inclusive imperial ideology. Akbar’s reign marked a decisive break from earlier Afghan traditions, including monetary practices that had dominated the subcontinent for centuries.

The Ilahi silver rupee was introduced to commemorate Tarikh-i-Ilahi, the imperial era initiated by Akbar in 1584 CE, aligned with Nowruz, the Persian New Year. These coins bear the inscriptions “Allahu Akbar” and “Jalla Jalaluhu Ilahi”, reflecting Akbar’s ideological experiment rather than a purely religious statement. Struck in both square and round formats, the Agra mint reportedly alternated shapes by month. By abandoning the long-used Afghan jital and reaffirming the rupee, Akbar consciously revived an indigenous monetary tradition, reinforcing imperial authority through innovation in coinage.