18(37. J The Initial Coinage of Bengal. 17 



Afterwards, with prospering times, the metal ran up occasionally to 

 fabulous premiums, to fall again ignominiously when Californian and 

 Australian discoveries made it common in the land. 



I revert for the moment to a more formal recapitulation of the 

 computations, which serve to establish the ratios of gold and silver in 

 Ak bar's time. 



Abul Fazl's figured returns give the following results : — 



First.— Chugal, weight in gold Tolah 3, Masha 0, Rati 5J=30 

 Es. of 11J Mashas each : 549.84: : 172.5X30 (5175.0) : 1 : : 9.4118. 



Second.— Aftabi, gold, weight t. 1, m. 2, r. 4|=12 Es. : 218.90 

 : : 172.5 X 12 (2070.O) : 1 : : 9.4563. 



Third. — Ilahi, or Lai Jalalf, also Muianni, gold, weight M. 12, R. 

 15=10 Es. : 18328 : : 1725 X 10 (17250) : 1 : : 9*4118. 



3 A. — The larger piece, the Sihansah, in value 100 Lai Jalalis, 

 gives an identical return. Weight in gold, t. 101, M. 9, r. 7 = 

 1000 Us. : 18328- : : 172 ; 500 (172-5 X 100 X 10) : 1 : : 94118. 



Fourth. — Adl.-G-utkah, or Muhar, also called Mahrabi, gold, weight 

 11 Mashas=9 Us. : 165 : : 1725x9 (15525) : 1 : : 940909. 



4 A. — The higher proportions specified under the piece of 100 

 round Muhars, produce a similar result. Weight in gold, t. 91, m. 

 8=900 Es. : 16500 : : 155250" (172 5 X 100 X 9) : 1 : : 9*40. 



These sums are based upon the ordinary Tolah of 180 gr., Masha 

 of 15, and Eati of 1*875 grs. The question of corresponding values 

 in the English scale need not affect the accuracy of comparisons 

 founded upon the conventional measure by which both metals were 

 estimated. 



I have given more prominence to the above calculations, and even 

 tested anew my earlier returns by the independent totals afforded 

 by the larger sums now inserted, because the obvious result of gold 

 being to silver as one to 9*4, has been called in question by an official 

 of the Calcutta Mint (a Dr. Sliekleton), who, however, while unable 

 either to correct my data, or to produce any possible evidence against 

 my conclusions, ventures to affirm, that " 9 4 to one is a relative 

 value of gold to silver, which never could really have existed."* 

 Nevertheless, here is a series of comparative weights and values, 

 furnished by the highest authority of the day, and ea.ch and all pro- 

 # Jour. As. Soc. Bengal, 186 A, p. 517. 

 3 



