Rao Shri Bharmalji I, Silver 1/2 Rupee, 5.73g, AH 995, struck posthumously with the name of Gujarat Sultan Mahmud III bin Latif, Obv: Arabic legend “Mahmud Shah bin Latif shah al-Sultan”, Devnagari legend “…Shri Bharmal…”, Rev: Crude rendering of “al-Wathiq” legend, copied from coins of Mahmud bin Latif (RS# 20.1). Test punch on reverse otherwise uncirculated, rare.
These coins constitute the earliest named issues of the Raos of Kutch. They are struck to a Mughal standard, corresponding to 1/2 rupee, most likely as a tribute to Akbar, who successfully quelled the rebellion of Gujarat Sultan Muzaffar III and driven him away from Ahmedabad into the Kathiawad peninsula. An anti-Mughal coalition of Jam Sataji of Jamnagar and Muzaffar was subsequently defeated at Bhuchar Mori by Mughal troops with the help of Rao Bharmal of Kutch. Mughal partisanship ensured Kutch never paid tribute to the Mughals, but was required to assist with 5000 horsemen in Mughal campaigns.