Bombay Presidency , Bhakkar mint , INO Mahmud shah , Lion & Hare symbol , Rare !!

[sarwar khan]

East India Company, Bombay Presidency
Under the Authority of James Outram (1839 - 1843 )
Denomination :- Rupee
In the name of Mahmud Shah Durrani (posthumous),
Issue dated :-  AH 1259 / AH 1843
Rarity :- Rare
Struck at Bhakkar mint in Sindh in early years of British occupation.

The British wrested control of Sindh from the Talpur Mir dynasty. The coins struck during the transitional period had the British lion added to the design. On obverse there is also a hare butting in the cartouche carrying the king's name!

The Lion was the symbol of British East India Company and hence symbolizes the British as Lords or Master while the hare apparently refers to the colonial subjects who were subjugated!

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[Figleaf]

Very nice coin indeed! It is clear that the lion refers to Britain, while the rest is an attempt to imitate earlier coins to make Indians accept the coin.

I disagree with your interpretation of the hare. In European cultures, the hare is a symbol for speed and ease of movement. In Asian (including hindu) cultures it is a symbol for the moon; in islam, it stands for Ali. There is no negative connotation for the hare. My best guess is that the hare stands for a local EIC official. It is less likely that it is used as a symbol for Ali, unless you think the rulers were unaware of the taboo on representing live people and animals in Islam. For the same reason, it is unlikely to represent the moon: it would be offensive to muslims.

Peter

[sarwar khan]

Recently, I added one more specimen to my collection. This one has a bold portrait of a lion on it .

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