Composition Copper Circulation 1674 - Late 1890s | Years of minting 1674 - 1830 | |
Value 1/74th to 1/80th of Rupee Design "Shri / Raja / Shiv" or "Shri / Raja" in Devanagari script, in three or two rows. Design Chhatra / Pati in Devanagari script, in two rows. | ||
Shivrai was a copper coin minted during the rule of Marathas and remained in circulation till the end of 19th century, primarily in the Bombay Presidency region.
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Before 1830s, Shivrai was valued at 1/74th to 1/80th of a Rupee. There are 150 different types of Shivrai extant till date. In 1885, the British government ordered all local revenue collectors (Mamlatdars) to collect all Shivrais and deposit them in treasury. The purpose of this was to bring the new pice, worth 1/64th of Rupee, in currency by eliminating this native rival. In 1890, Rev. Abbott collected and studied around 25,000 Shivrais. He mentions that they were still in circulation. The Shivrai remained in circulation till the end of 19th century. Shivray was very great Person.
Shivaji's Shivrai
When the Maratha warrior Shivaji became Chhatrapati of the Maratha empire, as a symbol of sovereignty, the Rajyaabhisheka Shaka (The Coronation Era) was started. On the occasion of coronation, special coins were minted, including a gold coin called Shivrai Hon. These coins have Shri Raja ShivaChhatrapati, in Devanagari, inscribed on them.
Dudandi Shivrai
Dudandi Shivrais (Marathi: दुदांडी शिवराई) were minted during Peshwa period. Dudandi literally means two-bars.
The "Shri" at the top of the obverse is underlined. This horizontal line, combined with the horizontal heading line of the word "Raja", gives us an impression of "Double bars", hence the term "Dudandi".
EIC's Shivrai
The British East India Company minted Shivrais at Poona during the period of 1820-1830. Unlike Earlier Shivrais, these contained year of minting on it. The dotted collar of earlier Shivrais is also absent. The year was given in Fasli era.