PCGS - Of the many great coins and rarities from India, the Zodiac series of the Mughal Empire is one that is beloved and cherished by numismatists and collectors today. The coins were issued to incorporate the Din-i-Ilahi faith system, pulling religious belief elements from across the Mughal Empire and include the religious 12 Ilahi months represented by the Zodiac calendar.
India Mughal Empire Zodiac Mohur AH1033//18 (1624) KM-180.19 Capricorn PCGS AU53Abu'l-Fath Jalal-ud-din Muhammad Akbar was an orthodox Muslim but became influenced by Sufi mysticism. He built a house of worship in which he invited theologians, mystics, and others to discuss spirituality with them. Such discussions even questioned the validity of the Quran and caused the orthodox to question Akbar's leadership due to rumors that he forsook Islam with his mixed religious and spiritual practices.
The religious tolerance of Akbar for those in the Mughal Empire was more accepting than what came before and after. Hindus who had been forced to convert to Islam could reconvert to Hinduism without facing death. He also celebrated Hindu holidays, including Diwali and accepted Brahmen priests' blessings. With the death of Akbar, rule passed to his son Nur al-Din Muhammad Jahangir, who reigned from AH1014 until AH1037 (1605-1627 CE). Historians argue what religion and beliefs Jahangir held, but some believe he followed his own belief system. What is clear is that Jahangir held a belief in astrological signs and significance of days and months, waiting for an auspicious day, March 10, 1606 to take the throne of the Mughal Empire after his fathers' death in October 27, 1605.
The astrological sign for the beginning of Jahangir reign is when the sun moved the position of the sign of Pisces to that of the sign of Aries. This movement is called Nowruz or "New Day" and is still celebrated. This jubilee was celebrated every year under Jahangir's reign, with festivities including the distribution of new titles and positions as well as the distribution of gold and silver coins to his subjects as gifts for the occasion. From understanding of these traditions and the coinage itself, we can tell that Jahangir held beliefs that the zodiac and astrological signs were important to him and the Empire.
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Posted 11/08/2020 12:06 pm
