TheTravancore rupeewas a type of currency issued by the erstwhileIndianprincely stateofTravancore,which was primarily located in the modern Indian state ofKerala.The rupee was largely a newer currency in comparison to the older currencies of Kerala such as theFanams,Achus,Chuckramsas well as theKasu(or Cash). Its creation was probably intended for the increased trading withBritish Indiaand the high-value transactions therein.
The Travancore Rupee was the highest denomination of currency issued for general circulation. The highest face value issued was the '1/2 rupee'. While there had been plans to introduce 'One Travancore Rupee', this was never done.[1]The half-rupee and the quarter-rupee remained the highest values issued for circulation. The Travancore Rulapee was issued until 1946 CE (1121 M.E. or Malayalam Era), remaining in circulation till 1949. It was replaced by theIndian rupeefollowing Travancore's accession intoIndia.
Inscriptions
editIssues of the Travancore Rupee often had the names or insignia of the reigning monarch in English. The reverse features inscriptions in the native language ofMalayalamas well as the royal insignia of Travancore. The inscriptions are largely a direct translation of the front of the coin. The year, when printed on the coins was based on theMalayalam calendar(and corresponding Malayalam Era - M.E.) which begins circa 825 CE. Therefore, the year of issue of the coin can be found by adding 825 to it.
Example- The year of issue of a coin showing 1000, will be 1825 C.E.(or A.D.). Therefore, the year of issue of the coin with the year 1116, as depicted in the images, will be 1940-41.
Unlike theIndian Rupeeissued by theBritishand other princely States of India, the Travancore Rupee was subdivided into 7Travancore Fanams.TheseFanamswere further sub-divided into 4Chakrams,each of 16Cash. We can see these sub-divisions in the following table -
| Unit | Equivalent Sub-units |
|---|---|
| 1 Travancore Rupee | 7 Fanams |
| 1 Fanam | 4 Chuckrams |
| 1 Chuckram | 16 Cash |
As of the early 1900s, silver coins were issued in the denominations of Rupee andChakrams.Their various values included 2 chakrams, 4 chakrams, 1/4 rupee (7 chakrams) and 1/2 rupee (14 chakrams). The cash orkashucoins were largely copper coins. They were struck in values of 1 cash, 4 cash and 8 cash. The exchange rate with theBritish Indian rupeewas set at 1 British Indian rupee = 28 chakram, 8 cash; equivalently, 1 Tranvancore rupee = 15 annas, 8.63 pies of a British Indian rupee.[2]
See also
editReferences
edit
- ^Travancore State Manualby V. Nagam Aiya (1908), p170
- ^Imperial Gazetteer of India, Provincial Series, Madras II: The Southern and West Coast Districts, Native States, and French Possessions.1908. p. 419.