Maratha Confederacy Shah Alam II Copper Paisa Historical Coin of Srinagar Mint

Maratha Confederacy, INO Mughal Emperor Shah Alam II, (AD 1759–1806), Denomination: Paisa, Composition: Copper, Srinagar (Garhwal) mint, Regnal Year: RY 3X, Weight: 14.86 grams, Diameter: 18.72 mm, Reference: ICM# 2373, About Very Fine, Scarce.

Obverse: Persian legend with a prominent Trishul (trident) symbol.

Reverse: Persian inscription “Manus maimanat sanah julus” with mint mark and regnal year.

The Maratha Confederacy issued several copper coins in the name of the Mughal emperor Shah Alam II during the late 18th century, reflecting the political reality of the time when the Mughal emperor remained the nominal sovereign while regional powers exercised real authority. These coins were struck between AD 1759 and 1806, a period when Maratha influence extended across large parts of northern India.

This copper paisa was minted at Srinagar in the Garhwal region (present-day Uttarakhand), not to be confused with Srinagar in Kashmir. The coin typically features the Trishul (trident) symbol, which served as an important mint mark and is often associated with the religious and cultural symbolism used by the Maratha authorities.

Copper paisa coins such as this circulated widely in regional markets for everyday transactions. Their Persian inscriptions, combined with distinctive symbols like the Trishul, reflect the unique blend of Mughal monetary tradition and Maratha regional authority that characterized the coinage of northern India during the late 18th century.