Awadh State Ghazi ud-Din Haidar Shah Silver 1 Rupee Banaras mint Coin

Princely State of Awadh, Ruler: Ghazi ud-Din Haidar Shah (1818–1827 CE), Mint: Banaras (Varanasi), Denomination: 1 Rupee, Metal: Silver, Weight: 10.97 grams, Diameter: 25.92 mm, Date: AH 1234–1235 / 1819–1820 CE, Reference: KM# 165.1, About Very Fine, Rare.

Obverse: Inscription: “Ghazi ud-din Haidar.”

Reverse: Crown flanked by lions holding flags; two inverted fish below.

Ghazi ud-Din Haidar was the first ruler of Awadh to officially assume the title of “King” instead of Nawab under British influence during the early 19th century. His reign marked a significant transformation in the political identity of Awadh as the state moved further away from nominal Mughal authority while increasingly coming under the influence of the British East India Company. Centered at Lucknow, the kingdom became one of the wealthiest and most culturally refined regions of northern India, known for architecture, literature, music, and courtly traditions. The Banaras mint produced distinctive silver rupees carrying royal symbolism unusual in Indo-Islamic coinage, particularly the crowned emblem supported by lions. Coins of Ghazi ud-Din Haidar are historically important because they reflect the emergence of semi-independent regional monarchy during the decline of Mughal imperial power.

The silver Rupees of Ghazi ud-Din Haidar combined Indo-Islamic inscriptions with European-inspired heraldic motifs, especially the crown and lion supporters seen on Banaras mint issues. The fish symbols below the crown represented the traditional emblem of Awadh royalty. Variations in weight and minor design elements are known within the series, making these coins highly collectible among specialists of late Mughal and princely state coinage.