London : A rare Nazarana Gold Mohur of Bahadur Shah Zafar, the last Mughal Emperor of India, has fetched an astounding £571,500 (approx. ₹6.8 crore) at an auction held by Spink Auction, one of the world’s oldest and most reputed auction houses. The sale took place on August 28 and has drawn global attention from numismatists and historians, reported the Okhla Times.
The 1839 coin, minted in Shahjahanabad during the reign of Bahadur Shah II, highlights the enduring fascination with the tragic yet inspiring figure of the last Mughal ruler. Though often described as a titular monarch with limited power, Zafar remains revered as a poet, Sufi, and a symbol of resistance against British colonial rule during the 1857 uprising.
Historians recall that after the failure of the revolt, Zafar faced brutal retribution. Several of his sons were executed, he was tried in a sham court, and ultimately exiled to Rangoon, Burma. The Emperor lived his last years in poverty and humiliation, passing away on 7 November 1862 at the age of 87. He was buried quietly under colonial restrictions, denied even a dignified funeral.
Experts note that Nazarana coins struck in his name are extremely rare, as British currency dominated circulation in Delhi during his reign. These coins, minted in limited quantities, now hold immense historical and monetary value.
The record-breaking auction underscores how, while India has largely neglected the memory of Bahadur Shah Zafar, global collectors continue to honour and preserve his legacy through artifacts linked to his reign.
