1. The Dám weighs 5 tánks, i. e., 1 tólah, 8 máshahs, and 7 surkhs; it is the fortieth part of the rupee. At first this coin was called Paisah, and also Bahlóli; now it is known under this name (dám). On one side the place is given where it was struck, and on the other the date.
For the purpose of calculation, the dám is divided into twenty-five parts, each of which is called a jétal.* This imaginary division is only used by accountants.
2. The Adhélah is half of a dám.
3. The Páulah is a quarter dám.
4. The Damrí is one-eighth of a dám.
In the beginning of this reign, gold was coined to the glory of his Majesty in many parts of the empire; now gold coins are struck at four places only, viz., at the seat of the government, in Bengal, Ahmadábád (Gujrát), and Kábul. Silver and copper are likewise coined in these four places, and besides in the following ten places,—Iláhabás, A´grah, Ujain, Súrat, Dihlí, Patana, Kashmír, Láhór, Multán, Tándah. In twenty-eight towns copper coins only are struck, viz., Ajmír, Audh, Atak, Alwar, Badáon, Banáras, Bhakkar, Bahírah, Patan, Jaunpúr, Jálandhar, Hardwár, Hisár Fírúzah, Kálpí, Gwáliár, Górak'hpúr, Kalánúr, Lak'hnau, Mandú, Nágór, Sarhind, Siyálkót, Sarónj, Saháranpúr, Sárangpúr, Sambal, Qanauj, Rantanbhúr.
Mercantile affairs in this country are mostly transacted in round muhurs, rupees, and dáms.
Unprincipled men cause a great deal of mischief by rubbing down the coins, or by employing similar methods; and in consequence of the damage done to the nation at large, his Majesty continually consults experienced men, and from his knowledge of the spirit of the age, issues new regulations, in order to prevent such detrimental practices.
The currency underwent several changes. First, when (in the 27th year) the reins of the government were in the hands of Rájah Tódarmal,* four kinds of muhurs were allowed to be current: A. There was a La'l i Jalálí, which had the name of his Majesty stamped on it, and weighed 1 tólah, 1¾ surkhs. It was quite pure, and had a value of 400 dáms. Again, there existed from the beginning of this glorious reign, a muhur with the imperial stamp, of which three degrees passed as current, viz., B. This muhur, when perfectly pure, and having the full weight of 11 máshahs. Its value was 360 dáms. If from wear and tear it had lost in weight within three grains of rice, it was still allowed to be of the same degree, and no difference was made. C. The same muhur, when it had lost in weight from four to six rice grains; its value was 355 dáms. D. The same muhur when it had lost in wright from six to nine rice grains; its value was 350 dáms.
Muhurs of less weight than this were considered as bullion.
Of Rupees, three kinds were then current, viz., A. one of a square form, of pure silver, and weighing 11½ máshahs; it went under the name of Jalálah, and had a value of 40 dáms. B. The round, old Akbarsháhí Rupee, which, when of full weight, or even at a surkh less, was valued at 39 dáms. C. The same rupees, when in weight two surkhs less, at 38 dáms.
Rupees of less weight than this were considered as bullion.
Secondly, on the 18th Mihr of the 29th year of the Divine era, 'Azaduddaulah Amír Fathullah* of Shíráz coming at the head of affairs, a royal order was issued, that on the muhurs, as far as three grains; and on the rupees, as far as six grains short weight, no account should be taken, but that they should be reckoned of full weight. If muhurs were still less, they should make a deduction for the deficiency, whatever their deficiency might be; but it was not ordered, that only muhurs down to nine grains less, should be regarded as muhurs. Again, according to the same regulation, the value of a muhur that was one surkh deficient, was put down as 355 dáms and a fraction; and hence they valued the price of one surkh of coined gold at the low rate of four dáms and a fraction. According to Tódarmal's regulation, a deduction of five dáms was made for a deficiency of one surkh; and if the muhur had lost something more than the three grains, for which he had made no account, even if it were only ½ surkh, full five dáms were subtracted; and for a deficiency of 1½ surkhs, he deducted ten dáms, even if the deficiency should not be quite 1½ surkhs. By the new law of 'Azaduddaulah, the value of a muhur was lessened by six dáms and a fraction, as its gold was worth 353 dáms and a fraction only.*
'Azaduddaulah abolished also the regulation, according to which the value of a round rupee had been fixed at one dám less than the square one, notwithstanding its perfection in weight and purity, and fixed the value of the round rupee, when of full weight or not less than one surkh, at forty dáms; and whilst formerly a deduction of two dáms was made for a deficiency of two surkhs, they now deduct for the same deficiency only one dám and a fraction.
Thirdly, when 'Azaduddaulah went to Khándésh, the Rájah estimated the value of muhurs that had been expressed in Jalálah rupees, in round rupees; and from his obstinate and wrangling disposition, fixed again the deficiencies on muhurs and rupees according to the old rates.
Fourthly, when Qulij Khán* received the charge of the government, he adopted the Rájah's manner of estimating the muhurs; but he deducted ten dáms for a deficiency in the weight of a muhur, for which the Rájah had deducted five dáms; and twenty dáms, for the former deduction of ten dáms; whilst he considered every muhur as bullion, if the deficiency was 1½ surkhs. Similarly, every rupee, the deficiency of which was one surkh, was considered as bullion.
Lastly, his Majesty trusting to his advisers, and being occupied by various important affairs, paid at first but little attention to this subject, till after having received some intimation of the unsatisfactory state of this matter, he issued another regulation, which saved the nation further losses, and was approved of by every one, far and near. On the 26th of Bahman, of the year 36, according to the Divine era (A. D. 1592,) he adopted the second [i. e., 'Azaduddaulah's] method, with one exception, namely, he did not approve of the provision that a muhur the deficiency of which did not exceed three, and a rupee, the deficiency of which did not exceed six, surkhs, should still be regarded as of full weight. And this regulation was the only effectual method for preventing the fraudulent practices of unprincipled men; for the former regulations contained no remedy in cases when the officers of the mint coined money of the above deficiency in weight, or when treasurers reduced full coins to the same deficiency. Besides shameless, thievish people made light grain weights, and used to reduce muhurs, deficient by three grains, to six grains deficiency, whilst they accepted muhurs six grains deficient as muhurs deficient by nine grains. This reduction of coins being continued, large quantities of gold were stolen, and the losses seemed never to end. By the command of his Majesty grain weights of bábághúrí were made, which were to be used in weighing. On the same date other stringent regulations were issued, that the treasurers and revenue collectors should not demand from the tax-payers any particular species of coins, and that the exact deficiency in weight and purity, whatever it might be, should be taken according to the present rate and no more. This order of his Majesty disappointed the wicked, taught covetous men moderation, and freed the nation from the cruelty of oppressors.