The Institutes of Akbar 23.1

23.1

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 Bahlólí; 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,—Iláhábás, Ágrah, Ujjain, Súrat, Dihlí, Patanah, Kashmír, Láhór, Multán, Tándah. In twenty-eight towns copper coins only are struck, viz., Ajmír, Audh, Atak, Alwar, Badáon, Banáras, Bhakkar, Bahrah, Patan, Jaunpúr, Jalandhar, Hardwár, Hisár Fírózah, Kalpi, Gwaliar, Gorakhpur, Kalinjar, Lakhnau, Mandu, Nagor, Sarhind, Siyalkot, Saronj, Saharanpur, Sarangpur, Sambal, Qanauj, Rantanbhur. Mercantile affairs in this country are mostly transacted in round muhurs, rupees, and dams.