Information: Personalities & Events on Indian coins

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I read in another post - "Coin collectors are a sub-species of Historians". Figleaf is so right... I love GK; coins form the perfect vehicle to learn more and broaden my outlook. For the benefit of our members, Indian and others alike, I will put up every now and then over the next month, a small write up on individuals, insitutions, events etc commemorated on Indian coins, eventually covering all themes. I've endevoured to simply glean some of the most notable/popular legacies of each person/event. There is so much more. And for those who would like to read more, Wikpedia.org as always, is a good starting point. Controversies will abound on certain topics...however, I've tried to put things in as deliberately neutral a perspective as I possibly can. Please do not post, so that browsing each theme is easier for our readers. Please PM me if you have any suggestions how I can make this more interesting and comprehensive.

For a full list of modern Republic of India coins, please click HERE

But before you plunge yourself into the thread, here are some interesting WoC generic discussions on Indian Coins & Mint sets to start you off:

- Ashoka Lion Pillar as National Emblem
- Indian Coinage Act 1906
- Indian Proof/UNC sets as (non)legal tender
- OMS coins (Off Metal Strike)
- VIP and VVIP sets
- Restrikes 1, Restrikes 2 and Restrikes 3

MANY THANKS TO @JOSEPHJK FOR PROVIDING THE COIN PICS

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125TH ANNIVERSARY DR. RAJENDRA PRASAD 1884-2009

Rajendra Prasad was a pivotal leader of the Indian Nationalist Movement and also one of the architects of the Indian Constitution. Prior to joining the struggle for Independence, Prasad was an academic who also had a thriving legal practice. He was elected as the first President of the Republic and was posthumously awarded the Bharat Ratna, India's highest civilian award.

Fun Fact : First time a President has been commemorated on a coin (we already had four Prime Ministers viz Nehru, Shastri, Indira & Rajiv)
Read the discussion here and on the Rajendra Prasad set packaging errors here

Wikipedia.org : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dr_Rajendra_Prasad

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150TH BIRTH ANNIVERSARY OF LOKMANYA BAL GANGADHAR TILAK 2007

- "Swaraj is my birthright and I shall have it"

Considered as a founding father of the Indian Independence movement, Tilak was popularly bestowed the title of Lokmanya (Beloved by the people). Among the first generation of Indians to receive a western-style education, Tilak went on to teach mathematics in Pune and later became a journalist. Unenamoured by the education curriculum of the time (which he felt ignored Indian culture, history and values), he set up the Deccan Education Society. Besides, he staunchly promoted the cause of women and their rights. He also launched two weeklies i.e. Kesari (in Marathi) and Mahratta (in English) which he used to spread his messages and highlight government abuses. As a tool for political mobilization, Tilak organized public Ganesh Chathurthi and Shivaji Jayanti celebrations which today are considered tradition in Maharashtra and other areas of India. Differing views with other congress members led Tilak to set up the Home Rule League.  His call for Swaraj (self governance) inspired many to rally behind him.

Fun Fact : Although adding the suffix "ji" to the name of a person indicates respect in Hindi, Tilak was apparently never referred to as such. When the coins were first unveiled, certain local politicians seizing on the issue, threatened protests if the coins were not withdrawn. Changes were immediately made and the "ji" was dropped.
Read the WoC discussion on Tilakji here and on die varieties here

Wikipedia.org : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lokmanya_Tilak

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PERARIGNAR ANNA CENTENARY 1909-1969 (2009)

Conjeevaram Natarajan Annadurai was the first non-Congress leader to become the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu. Influenced by the philosophy of his mentor Periyar, Annadurai was a firm proponent of the Tamil cause and led the Anti-Hindi demonstrations in the late 1930's and then in the 1960's that ensured that Hindi would not be the sole official language of India. Not only did he edit various journals, he also scripted many Tamil movies which dealt with various social issues of the time and was considered an accomplished Tamil litterateur. Although he initially supported the concept of an independent Tamil Nadu (or Dravida Nadu), differences with Periyar led him to moderate his views and establish the DMK party which has led several governments in Tamil Nadu. He is fondly remembered as Anna (elder brother) amongst Tamilians.

Fun Fact: First Indian coin to carry Tamil Script, although just a signature.
Read the WoC discussion here

Wikipedia.org : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/C._N._Annadurai

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HOMI BHABHA BIRTH CENTENARY YEAR 2008-2009

Homi Jehangir Bhabha (regarded as the Father of Indian Atomic Science) helped lay the foundations for various premier scientific institutions in India such as the Tata Institute of Fundamental research, Trombay Atomic Research Centre (BARC) and the Cosmic Ray Research unit at IISC. He worked with Niels Bohr on the quantum theory. Besides, he also worked on the cascade theory of electron showers and on the identification of the meson. He served as the Indian Atomic Energy Commissions first chairman and had chaired the UN Conference held in Geneva on the Peaceful Uses of Atomic Energy in 1955.

Fun Fact: since 2008-2009 was designated as the year long celebrations dedicated to Nuclear Science, Mint staffers were simply told to put this date construct on the coin. Not an error as many dealers may try to convince you to beleive.
Read the discussion here

Wikipedia.org : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homi_Bhabha

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C SUBRAMANIUM BIRTH CENTENARY 1910-2010

Chidambaram Subramaniam wore many hats - freedom fighter, member of the Constituent Assembly, Constitution framer, Agriculture Minister during the emergency & Governor of Maharashtra. CS as he was often called, is best known as the architect of India's modern agricultural development policy, which led to a record production of wheat in 1972 — heralding the Indian Green Revolution. As Minister for Food and Agriculture, he pushed for the adoption of high-yielding varieties of seeds and fertilizer-intensive farming which paved the way for increased output of cereals in the late 60s and eventual self-sufficiency in this area. Famine was no more a major concern in the country. Among his protégés were M.S. Swaminathan who took the green revolution forward, former Agriculture Secretary B. Sivaraman and Verghese Kurien, Chairman of the National Dairy Development Board. CS Founded the National Agro Foundation, Chennai and Bharathidasan Institute of Management, Tiruchirappalli.

Fun Fact : Read the WoC discussion here
Read about Mule Coin here

Wikipedia.org : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/C_Subramaniam
NYTimes Obituary : http://www.nytimes.com/2000/11/10/world/chidambaram-subramaniam-india-s-green-rebel-90-dies.html

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MOTHER TERESA BIRTH CENTENARY 1910-2010

No introductions needed here; so I won't take the time to write anything on this great soul

Fun Fact: Read WoC discussion here

Wikipedia.org : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mother_Teresa

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SAINT ALPHONSA BIRTH CENTENARY 1910-2009

Alphonsamma, as she was locally known, took her vows in 1936 under the tutelage of the Fanciscan Clarist Congregation. Saint Alphonsa (born Annakutty Muttathupadathu) is the first person of (*full) Indian origin to be canonized by the Catholic Church and the first canonized saint of the Syro-Malabar Catholic Church of the Saint Thomas Christian community. She was beatified by Pope John Paul II in 1986 in Kottayam, in recognition of the numerous miracles through intercessory prayers to her. The miracle that was attributed to her intercession and approved by the Vatican for canonization was the healing of the club foot a Muslim infant in 1985 in Thalassery district of Kerala. She was elevated to sainthood on 12 October 2008 by Pope Benedict XVI. In the homily, Pope Benedict XVI recalled Saint Alphonsa's life as one of "extreme physical and spiritual suffering."

* Saint Gonçalo Garcia, born in 1556 in Vasai (also called Bassein) near Mumbai to an Indian mother and Portuguese father, was declared a saint in the 19th century.

Fun Fact : First Catholic personality to be commemorated on an Indian coin. Christians form 2.5% of the population (me included  ). Read the WoC discussion here

Wikipedia.org : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Alphonsa

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LOUIS BRAILLE 1809-2009

In post-Independence Indian numismatics, Louis Braille is the only non-Indian *citizen to be commemorated so far. This is clearly a universal appreciation to a man whose timeless legacy has helped and is still helping millions of people to lead a more normal and freer life. I think it is applaudable that the Indian govt shared this sentiment. I won't write about a man that all of us should and must know about!

*Mother Teresa, although born in Skopje, present-day Macedonia, attained Indian citizenship in 1951

Fun Fact: First Indian coin to carry the Braille Script. Read WoC discussion here

Wikipedia.org : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Louis_braille

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RABINDRANATH TAGORE 150TH BIRTH ANNIVERSARY 1861-2011

An icon of modern & specifically bengali literature and poetry (as well as art & theatre), Tagore is revered in India, Bangladesh and beyond. Tagore penned Jana Gana Mana, the Indian national anthem as well as Amar Shonar Bangla, the Bangladeshi national anthem. He also holds the distinction as the first Asian recipient of the Nobel prize (for literature) in 1913 for his work "Gitanjali", a collection of poems. His views on how to attain independence and social reform often put him at logger-heads with other Indian leaders, yet he actively campaigned against imperialism and even returned his knighthood after the massacre at Jallianwala Bagh in Amritsar. Among his other notable contributions are his founding of the Vishwa Bharti University at Santiniketan in 1921, now a prestigious institution which was recognised by the Govt in 1951.     

Fun Fact : The first Rs150 coin to be issued. Oddly enough, the coin was minted and despatched in 2010 although 2011 would be his 150th Anniversary. Read WoC discussion here

Wikipedia.org : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabindranath_Tagore

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SHAHEED BHAGAT SINGH BIRTH CENTENARY 1907-2007

- Inquilab Zindabad! (Long Live the Revolution!)

Bhagat Singh grew up in a Jat Sikh family that fought the East India Company and the British under Maharaja Ranjit Singh's army and later during the revolt of 1857. Although he initially participated in the Nationalist Movement lead by the Congress, Bhagat Singh, heavily influenced by Anarchist & Marxist ideology, later joined the Hindustan Republican Association that advocated armed insurrection against the government. Many attribute his changed attitudes to the fatal lathi charge on Lala Lajpat Rai (a prominent leader) who was leading a peaceful demonstration against the Simon Commission in Lahore. Singh went to jail the first time for his attempt to assassinate Lahore's Chief of Police (to avenge Lajpat Rai's death). Later, he along with his comrades would lob a bomb in the corridors of the Central Legislative Assembly where an on-going session was about to pass the draconian Defence of India Act. The bomb went off without any casualties. Bhagat Singh was soon tried and hanged. An ongoing debate still rages whether the bomb had intended targets or whether it was merely a sensational way to get national attention. To his supporters, he was immortalised as Shaheed (Martyr).

Fun Fact : A somewhat frivolous incident occurred during the coin's unveiling ceremony, during which, the Chief Minister of Punjab insisted that Bhagat Singh should have been pictured with a turban (since Bhagat Singh was Sikh). As a result, the coin's minting was delayed. However, Bhagat Singh's family highlighted that he was an avowed atheist for many years before his death, insisting that the current portrait be maintained. The Rs5 coin as a result was not released into circulation until early 2012. It's obverse is uniquely different to all other commemorative Rs.5 coins issued so far.
Read WoC discussion here which includes info on the NiBs OMS issue

Wikipedia.org : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bhagat_Singh

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INDIAN AIRFORCE PLATINUM JUBILEE 1932-2007

The Indian Air Force (Prefixed "Royal in 1945; dropped in 1950) was founded in 1932 as an auxiliary unit of the RAF. It saw its first combat missions under the leadership of Flight Lieutenant (later Air Vice Marshal) Cecil Bouchier during WWII, carrying out sorties against Japanese imperial forces in Thailand and Burma. Independence and the ensuing partition in 1947 saw three squadrons go to Pakistan while India retained the other nine. The IAF is the fourth largest Airforce globally operating more than 1600 aircrafts and over sixty air bases (including one in Tajikistan). Based on its British command structure legacy, Air Chief Marshall Pradeep Vasant Naik (Vice Chief Norman Browne is slated to take over) leads 170,000 IAF personnel.   
The IAF uses a mix of mostly Russian aircraft, but has diversified over the last 20 yrs to include French, UK, American and Isreali technologies apart from its project to build its first indigenous combat aircraft. With India's growing ambitions on the world stage, the often hostile nature of its neighbourhood and the need to replace an aging fleet, the IAF has been spending billions on expansion and modernisation. It will soon ink a $12bn deal to buy 126 (either French Rafael or EADS Eurofighter) jets in December 2011. The IAF also has a large fleet of various helicopters, Un-manned  aerial drones, ballistic missiles as well as three dedicated satellites. 
The major missions undertaken by the IAF are :
- First years of Independence (1947 – 1950) : The day after Maharaja Hari Singh of J&K signed the instrument of accession, the IAF airlifted thousands of soldiers to repel Pakistani tribesmen and militias from the State. Two-thirds of occupied territories were recovered before a UN brokered cease-fire came into effect.
- Congo Crisis & Liberation of Goa (1960 – 61): Following the abrupt departure of Congo's Belgian rulers, the IAF sent its 5th Squadron to assist UN operations where they remained till 1966 as the UN's only long-range air support force and helped destroy the rebel air force. In 1961, following failed talks with Portugal's Salazar Regime; the IAF was pressed into action to liberate Goa, Daman and Diu. The IAF bombed Dabolim airport's runway and other military installations securing the surrender of the Portuguese forces in a few days.
- Wars with Pakistan and China (1962 – 71) : In 1962, Indo-Tibetan border tensions with China quickly escalated to full scale war, yet the IAF was deployed relatively late and ineffectively resulting in major losses in Aksai Chin in J&K (still under Chinese control) and in the North East (the Chinese withdrew later). Three years later, in 1965, India & Pakistan declared war over Kashmir eventually maintaining the status-quo. This was the first time that the IAF actively engaged enemy planes. India and Pakistan went to war again in 1971 resulting in the Liberation of East Pakistan (now called Bangladesh). The IAF acquired complete air supremacy over the eastern frontier and helped India make deep inroads into West Pakistan. India's military superiority over Pakistan was firmly established with the conclusion of this war.
- Other major events (1984-date) : The IAF helped the army secure the Siachen Glacier in 1984, a particularly impressive feet in view of the inhospitable terrain. In 1987, the IAF supplied humanitarian aid as well as Indian peacekeepers to the Jaffna Peninsula in northern Sri Lanka in an attempt to broker a peace deal between the govt and the LTTE (with disastrous consequences to India and Sri Lanka). The IAF was again pressed into service in 1988 to fly Indian soldiers to the Maldives and restore President Gayoom who was deposed in a coup d'état. The IAF's last significant operation occurred in 1999 when Pakistani militants supported by that army, lodged themselves in the un-inhabited Kargil heights (a few kilometres into the Indian side of the Line of control in J&K). The IAF carried out a major bombing campaign for a little more than a month before the militants finally withdrew/ were killed.

Fun Fact : The Rs.2 coin has not been reported to circulate

Wikipedia.org : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_air_force
Official Website : http://indianairforce.nic.in/

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RESERVE BANK OF INDIA GOLDEN JUBILEE 1935-1985 / RESERVE BANK OF INDIA PLATINUM JUBILEE 1935-2010

The RBI was founded in 1935 following the recommendations of the Hilton-Young Commission, to act as the Central banker to the govt. (both at the central and state level) as a result of the economic turmoil post WWI. Initially based at Calcutta, the Head Office was shifted to Bombay in 1937. The RBI also acted as the central banker to Burma 1937- 1947 and to Pakistan until June 1948. It also issued Indian Banknotes (known as Gulf Rupees) exclusively for circulation in the Persian Gulf States between 1959 & 1969. The notes were distinguishable from normal Indian currency by their colour and serial Number Prefix "Z". The RBI (a shareholder's bank) was nationalised in 1949. During the 1950's and 1960's several large banks were nationalised and placed under the direct supervision of the RBI with the express purpose to implement govt. policies in relation to agriculture, retention of foreign exchange and overall economic development (in keeping with India's quasi-socialist economy). Due to the economic crisis in 1991, the economy has gradually been de-regulated and the RBI has now been entrusted primarily with ensuring a stable money supply, enacting more flexible banking regulations and overseeing the country's foreign reserves (currently around $300bn). The RBI also supervises the Security Printing & Minting Corporation of India (SPMCIL) which produces the nation's banknotes and coins.The RBI is governed by a Central Board of Directors appointed by the govt. and currently headed by the 22nd Governor D. Subbarao (PM Manmohan Singh was the 15th Governor from 1982 to 1985). It has been credited with following a cautious approach to banking and currency de-regulations which helped India avoid much of the 1997 East Asian currency crises as well as the 2008 global financial markets meltdown.

Fun Fact : First Rs75 coin to be issued. The design of the RBI 2010 coin is the second time that a motif has been re-cycled (from the one issued in 1985). The RBI Logo is an adaptation of the Palm tree and lion that was used on East India Company gold Mohurs. The lion had however been replaced with a Tiger.

With much thanks to the Oracle for answering a long-standing question :

The selection of the Bank's common seal to be used as the emblem of the Bank on currency notes, checks, and publications, was an issue that had to be taken up at an early stage of the Bank's formation. The general ideas on the seal were as follows:
- The seal should emphasize the Governmental status of the Bank, but not too closely;
- It should have something Indian in the design;
- It should be simple, artistic and heraldic correct; and
- The design should be such that it could be used without substantial alteration for letter heading, etc.
For this purpose, various seals, medals and coins were examined. The East India Company Double Mohur, with the sketch of the Lion and Palm Tree, was found most suitable; however, it was decided to replace the lion by the tiger, the latter being regarded as the more characteristic animal of India!
To meet the immediate requirements in connection with the stamping of the Bank's share certificates, the work was entrusted to a Madras firm. The Board, at its meeting on February 23, 1935, approved the design of the seal but desired improvement of the animal's appearance. Unfortunately it was not possible to make any major changes at that stage. But the Deputy Governor, Sir James Taylor, did not rest content with this. He took keen interest in getting fresh sketches prepared by the Government of India Mint and the Security Printing Press, Nasik. As a basis for good design, he arranged for a photograph to be taken of the statue of the tiger on the entrance gate at Belvedere, Calcutta. Something or the other went wrong with the sketches so that Sir James, writing in September I938, was led to remark:
"...... s tree is all right but his tiger looks too like some species of dog, and I am afraid that a design of a dog and a tree would arouse derision among the irreverent. .....'s tiger is distinctly good but the tree has spoiled it. The stem is too long and the branches too spidery, but I should have thought that by putting a firm line under the feet of his tiger and making his tree stronger and lower we could get quite a good result from his design."
Later, with further efforts, it was possible to have better proofs prepared by the Security Printing Press, Nasik. However, it was eventually decided not to make any change in the existing seal of the Bank, and the new sketches came to be used as an emblem for the Bank's currency notes, letter-heads, cheques and publications issued by the Bank.
Source: 'History of the Reserve Bank of India' | Indiacoins.org

Read the WoC discussion here

Official Website : http://www.rbi.org.in
Wikipedia.org : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reserve_Bank_of_India
More on Gulf Rupee : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gulf_rupee

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1000 YEARS OF BRIHADEESHWARA TEMPLE THANJAVUR 2010

Also known as Peruvudaiyar Koyli or Rajarajeswaram, this temple has been classified as a UNESCO world heritage site, designated "Great Living Chola Temples" as religious ceremonies have been conducted un-interrupted at the site since its consecration 1000yrs ago. Located in present day Tamil Nadu and completed in 1010 AD under the patronage of King Raja Raja Chola I, the temple is among the largest and finest examples of purely dravid-style temple architecture. The temple complex is built entirely using granite stone with the main tower, called Vimana, constituting thirteen stories (nearly 220ft high). There are several smaller temples and ornamental gates spread across the complex although the main temple itself is dedicated to Lord Shiva. The temple was also unique in that it served as a channel through which the king disbursed state funds to his subjects.

Fun Fact : First Rs1000 coin issued. The Government, under the Indian Coinage Act 1906, can issue coins with a maximum face value of upto Rs1000. After a gap of nearly 1000yrs, Raja Raja Chola I once again appears on a coin!
Read WoC discussion here
Read WoC discussion Rs5 die varieties here

Wikipedia.org : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brihadeeswarar_Temple
Read more on Raja Raja Chola I : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raja_Raja_Chola_I
Online Virtual Tour of the Temple : http://www.view360.in/virtualtour/thanjavur/

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TER-CENTENARY OF GUR-TA-GADDI 2008

A little on Sikhism: Sikhism was founded in the 15th Century by Guru Nanak. It constitutes the 5th largest organised religious community in the world although it is primarily concentrated in Punjab, India where Sikhs form the majority population. Sikhism's principal beliefs are faith and justice (Waheguru), the oneness of god & equality of man (i.e. the rejection of caste & emphasis on equality of women) along with various other tenets that include Hindu and Muslim belief systems as well. However, under constant threat of Moghul persecution, especially during Emperor Aurangzeb's reign in the 17th century, the Sikhs organised themselves into a martial force under the guidance of the 10th Guru - Guru Gobind Singh. Harminder Sahib (the Golden Temple) in Amritsar is the nerve centre of the Sikh Faith and houses the Sri Guru Granth Sahib (which was finalised by Guru Gobind Singh). The temple was shelled by army tanks during Operation Blue Star in 1984 inorder to evict heavily armed Khalistani militants who barricaded themselves inside the complex. The entire complex was quickly rebuilt and restored to its original form soon after.

The Guru Granth Sahib: Also known as the Adi Granth, the Sri Guru Granth Sahib is the religious text of Sikhism. It contains 1430 pages (known as "Angs" i.e. Limbs) that collate the hymns and prayers (known as Ragas) of the previous ten Gurus. The Adi Granth was first compiled by the 5th Guru, Guru Arjan Dev from hymns of the first five Sikh gurus and other great saints, including those of the Hindu and Muslim faith. It was continuously supplemented by successive Gurus thereafter. It is written in the Gurmukhi script, with occasional use of Braj Bhasha, Khariboli, Sanskrit and Persian, generically titled as Sant Bhasha (i.e. Language of Saints). In 1708 at Nanded (present day Maharashtra), Guru Gobind Singh declared that the Adi Granth would be elevated to Guru Granth Sahib and would be the perpetual Guru of the Sikhs. As a sign of respect, people must cover their heads, have their feet and hands washed and walk bare-feet in the presence of the Guru Granth Sahib. The Supreme Court of India has even designated the Guru Granth Sahib as a "Juristic Person". The Guru Granth Sahib is unique as it is a first hand account of the founders and original theological leaders of the Sikh faith (unlike the Zen Avesta, Torah, Bible & Koran).     

Fun Fact : The Rs.10 coin has not been reported to circulate. This is the first coin of Independent India to carry the Gurmukhi script as well as the first bimetallic commemorative coin issued in India. It was unveiled even before the Rs10 "Cross" coins became available (though these coins date from 2005). The Sachkhand Shri Hazur Sahib is portrayed on the coin.

Wikipedia.org : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guru_Granth_Sahib
About Sikhism : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sikhism
Operation Bluestar : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Blue_Star