313 



There is one exception in Hindostan, if not more, to the gene- 

 ral rule of the Mahomedan emperors not permitting any effigy, or 

 the representation of men and animals on the imperial coins ; this 

 is well known to those who have seen the zodiac rupees in India ; 

 which, in complete sets, are now only to be met with in the cabinets 

 of the curious, or occasionally found singly in different provinces. I 

 once saw an entire collection of these rupees in silver, and a few 

 others procured by chance of the same metal: those of gold and 

 copper never came within my observation. There are two legends 

 current in India respecting these singular coins. One relates, that 

 in the reign of the emperor Jehangheer, son of the celebrated Ak- 

 ber, and father of Shah Jehan, his favourite Sultana Noor Jehan, 

 or Light of the World, a woman of transcendent beauty and genius, 

 having prevailed upon the emperor to grant her power for one day 

 over his empire, she ordered anew coinage in the different metals, 

 to be impressed under twelve varied dies, with the signs of the 

 zodiac, from whence they have been always distinguished by that 

 appellation. This was certainly the most effectual, and perhaps 

 the most ingenious method of giving universality and perpetuity 

 to the existence of her influence over an imperial husband. 



Another story rejects the interference of the sultana Noor 

 Jehan, in the coinage of the zodiac rupees, which it rather attri- 

 butes to a whim of the emperor himself; as Jehangeer was a 

 prince of great eccentricity, and though a Mussulman was a bon- 

 vivant, and possibly issued the order when in a mirthful mood. In 

 refutation of that part of the legend which limits the whole coinage 

 to one day, it is asserted that the zodiac rupees are of different 



VOL. III. 2 s 



