1893.] E. Tliurston — History of the East India Company Coinage. 63 
Benares. 
Benares. 
1800. In a letter dated 12th December, 1800, on the subject of 
the irregularities at the Benares mint, the 
Collector of that city suggested the advisabi- 
lity of a European being placed in charge of the mint, and of having 
rupees coined there of the same standard as the Bihar sikka rupees. 
1801. In April 1801, a Committee was appointed to enquire into the 
state of the Benares mint, and report on the 
expediency of continuing it. From the Com- 
mittee’s report it appears that, since the abolition of the Residency, the 
mint had been left without the superintendence of a European official, 
and that the same species of gold, silver, and copper coins continued 
to be struck as at the time when Mr. Barlow reported on the mint (p. 54). 
In recommending a continuation of the mint, the Committee stated that 
“ a connexion has always subsisted between the mint and the manufac- 
turers of gold and silver wire and thread, and the weavers of rich 
cloths and embroideries made at Benares, on which the prosperity 
of the trade in these articles appears so much to depend that, in the 
event of the abolition of the mint, the manufacturers might require 
some similar establishment to supply its place.” In reviewing the 
report of the Committee, the Governor- General did not think it advi- 
sable either to abolish the mint, or to alter the mode in which the 
coinage had been hitherto conducted, but ordered that the Agent of the 
Govern or- General, the Magistrate of the city, and the Collector of the 
Province of Benares be constituted a permanent Committee for the 
superintendence and control of the mint. 
1802. In 1802 letters were received from Madras and Bombay, 
Bombay, Madras. ^ f ^ ** VGI 7 neCeSS ^ that a 
general reform of their coinage should be 
carried out, and greater uniformity introduced, so as to relieve the 
public and individuals from the inconvenience arising from so great 
a variety of coins, and from so frequent fluctuations in their values. The 
following plan of a new coinage was submitted by the Calcutta Mint : — 
I. That the gold and silver coins of Madras, Bombay, and the 
Ceded Districts, be of the same standard and weight ; 
II. That the gold mohar (gold rupee) weigh 180 grains troy, and 
contain 168 grains of gold and 12 grains of alloy : 
III. That the silver rupee weigh 186 grains troy, and contain 
173 grains of silver and 13 grains of alloy; 
IV. That fourteen rupees be equal to, and pass for the gold 
mohur. 
V. That the mohar and rupee of Bombay be divided into halves, 
quarters, and eighths (which last could be milled and stamped without 
trouble) ; 
