British Indian and Mughal Coins

The reign of William IV (1830–1837) was brief but marked an important stage in the shaping of British India. Although he never set foot in the subcontinent, his rule coincided with the East India Company ’s efforts to strengthen political control and economic uniformity. A key development of this time was the minting of silver rupees featuring his portrait between 1835 and 1837. These coins symbolized the replacement of diverse regional currencies with a standardized system, reinforcing imperial authority. William IV’s legacy in India, though short-lived, provided a monetary framework that Queen Victoria ’s long reign would later expand upon. The One Rupee coin that is sometimes attributed to William IV and marked with the date 1840 is an object of both curiosity and debate in numismatic circles . To understand its background, it is important to look at the historical context. William IV reigned as King of the United Kingdom from 1830 until his death in 1837, and during this short ...

The Bengal Presidency was one of the most prominent administrative divisions under British India, originally created by the East India Company in the late 17th and early 18th centuries. Its capital was established at Fort William in Calcutta , which later became the seat of British power in India until 1911. At its height, the Presidency encompassed vast territories including present-day West Bengal , Bihar , Odisha , Assam , and Bangladesh , and for a time extended even into the northwestern regions of India. Known for its fertile land and rich resources, Bengal quickly became the financial heart of the Company’s operations and played a central role in shaping the colonial economy and administration. The East India Company’s involvement in Bengal began with small trading settlements, the most notable being at Hooghly in 1651. Over time, political events transformed Bengal into the foundation of Company rule in India. The decisive victory at the Battle of Plassey in 1757 , where Rob...