General information and historical background

Kutch had been one of the Indian Princely States, independent until 1947 AD. This land is located in northwest India. It consists of a peninsula north of the Gulf of Kutch (also spelled Gulf of Kachchh).

Kutch was virtually independent throughout the Mughal period. Early in the 19th century internal disorder and the existence of rival claimants to the throne resulted in British intrusion into the state's affairs. Rao Bharmalji II was deposed in favor of Rao Desalji II who proved much more amenable to the Government of India's wishes. He and his successors continued to rule in a manner considered by the British to be most enlightened and, as a result, Maharao Khengarji III was created a Knight Grand Commander of the Indian Empire. In view of its geographical isolation Kutch came under the direct control of the Central Government at India's independence, that is — in 1947 AD. Now, the territory of the former Princely State Kutch is one of the districts of the Indian state Gujarat.

The first coinage was struck in 1617 AD, the last — in 1947 AD, in commemoration of the Independence of India from the British Empire. Late Kutch coins bear double dating: on one side the date is written with Kutch numerals using the Bikram Samvat era (you can find these numerals in the direct converting tab of this page, to the left of this descriptive text), whereas on the other side of the coin we can see a year using the Gregorian calendar written with Arabic numerals (literally Arabic, not European!). To know more about the Bikram Samvat era, visit the Nepal section. As far as Arabic numerals are concerned, they're described in the Lunar Hejira section.

As you might have noticed from the converter provided, Kutch numerals are notable for their right angles and broken (not rounded) lines.

Here is an image of the Kutch emblem:

We can see a trident on the lefthand side, an arrowhead (or dagger) on the righthand side, and above, in the center — a crescent moon, its “horns” turned up.

Kutch monetary system

The Kutch monetary unit is called the kori. Binary subdivisions of monetary units are very typical for the Indian princely states; Kutch is no exception:

½ trambiyo = 1 babukiya.

2 trambiyo = 1 dokdo/dokda.

3 trambiyo = 1 dhinglo.

2 dhinglo = 1 dhabu.

2 dhabu = 1 payalo.

2 payalo = 1 adlina.

2 adlina = 1 kori.

The following line of denominations comes from the relations above:

1 kori = 16 dhinglo = 24 dokdo = 48 trambiyo.

Images for this section were taken from: auction.conros.ru and coinarchives.com.

◄ Previous Next ► Coin 0 of 999 Go to the picture # Territory that issued this coin: Kutch (prev. was one of the Indian Princely St.) Year of the Gregorian calendar: 1932 Year of the Bikram Samvat Era: 1989 Territory that issued this coin: Kutch (prev. was one of the Indian Princely St.) Year of the Gregorian calendar: 1947 Year of the Bikram Samvat Era: 2004 Territory that issued this coin: Kutch (prev. was one of the Indian Princely St.) Year of the Gregorian calendar: 1893 Year of the Bikram Samvat Era: 1836 Territory that issued this coin: Kutch (prev. was one of the Indian Princely St.) Denomination (value): 1 trambiyo Year of the Gregorian calendar: 1920 Year of the Bikram Samvat Era: 1977 Territory that issued this coin: Kutch (prev. was one of the Indian Princely St.) Denomination (value): 5 kori Year of the Gregorian calendar: 1936 Year of the Bikram Samvat Era: 1993 Territory that issued this coin: Kutch (prev. was one of the Indian Princely St.) Denomination (value): ½ kori Year of the Gregorian calendar: 1863 Year of the Bikram Samvat Era: 1920 Territory that issued this coin: Kutch (prev. was one of the Indian Princely St.) Year of the Gregorian calendar: 1932 Year of the Bikram Samvat Era: 1989