The Republic of India, a subcontinent jutting southward from the mainland of Asia, has an area of 1,269,346 sq. mi. (3,287,590 sq. km.) and a population of over 1.1 billion, second only to that of the People’s Republic of China. Capital: New Delhi. India’s economy is based on agriculture and industrial activity. Engineering goods, cotton apparel and fabrics, handicrafts, tea, iron and steel are exported.
   The Indian Mutiny (called the first War of Independence by Indian Nationalists) of 1857-58, begun by Indian troops in the service of the British East India Company, revealed the intensity of the growing resentment against British domination. The widespread rebellion against British rule was unsuccessful, but resulted in the transfer of government from the company to the British crown, and was a source of inspiration, to later Indian nationalists. Agitation for representation in the government continued.
   Following World War I, in which India sent six million troops to fight at the side of the Allies, Indian nationalism intensified under the banner of the Indian National Congress and the leadership of Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, who called for non-violent revolt against British authority. The Government of India Act of 1935 proposed a federal status linking the British Indian provinces with the many princely states; in addition, provincial legislatures were to be created. The federal status was never implemented, but the legislatures were created after the election of 1937, with the National Congress winning majorities in most of the provinces.
   When Britain declared war on Germany in Sept. 1939, the Viceroy declared India also to be at war with a common enemy. The Congress, however, demanded independence as a condition for cooperation; Britain refused. But as the Japanese advanced into Asia, Britain offered to transfer to Indians power over all but military affairs during the war, and set forth a plan for postwar independence. Congress was willing to accept the wartime transfer of power, but both Congress and the Muslim League rejected Britain's plan for independence; Congress because it did not sufficiently safeguard Indian unity, the Muslims (who wanted a separate Muslim state) because of fears of what would happen
to Muslims within a united India.
   Early in 1947, Prime Minister Clement Attlee announced that Britain would leave India “by a date not later than June 1948,” even though the Hindus and Muslims could not agree among themselves on a plan for self-government. The National Congress, aware that the Muslim League would revolt rather than accept an all-India government, reluctantly agreed to the formation of a separate Muslim state. The Muslim-majority provinces of the North West Frontier, Sindh and West Punjab in the west, and East Bengal in the east were separated from India to form the Muslim state of Pakistan, which became independent on Aug. 14, 1947. India became independent on the following day. Because British India coins dated 1947 were struck until 1950, they can be considered the first coins of Independent India. India became a republic on Jan. 26, 1950.
   The Republic of India is a member of the Commonwealth of Nations. The president is the Chief of State. The prime minister is the Head of Government.

MINT MARKS
(Mint marks usually appear directly below the date.)
B – Mumbai (Bombay), proof issues only (1969 until 1995)
(B) – Mumbai (Bombay), diamond
C – Ottawa (1985 25 Paise; 1988 10, 25 & 50 Paise)
(C) – Kolkata (Calcutta) no mint mark
H – Birmingham (1985 Rupee only)
(H) – Hyderabad, star (1963)
(Hd) – Hyderabad, diamond split vertically (1953-1960)
(Hy) – Hyderabad, incuse dot in diamond (1960-1968)
(K) – Kremnica, Slovakia, MK in circle
(L) – British Royal Mint, Llantrisant (1985 rupee only),
diamond below first date digit
(Ld) – British Royal Mint Llantrisant, tower, looks like a bridge
M – Mumbai (Bombay), proof only starting 1996
(M) – Mexico City, M beneath O
(N) – Noida, dot
(P) – Pretoria, M in oval
(R) – Moscow, MMD in oval
(T) – Taegu (Korea), star below last date (1997 and 98 2 Rupees
only)

From 1950 through 1964 the Republic of India proof coins carry the regular diamond mint mark and can be distinguished from circulation issues only by their proof-like finish. From 1969 proofs carry the capital “B” mint mark. Some Bombay issues after 1969 have a “proof-like” appearance although bearing the diamond mint mark of circulation issues. Beginning in 1972 proofs of the larger denominations – 10, 20 and 100 rupees -were partly frosted on their main features, including numerals. From 1975 all proofs were similarly frosted, from the 1 paisa to 100 rupees. Proof-like issues are often erroneously offered as proofs.

MONETARY SYSTEM
(Until 1957)
4 Pice = 1 Anna
16 Annas = 1 Rupee
In addition to the denomination, the value as fraction of the Rupee is added in words above the denomination numeral for educational purposes on all 1, 2,5, 10, 25, and 50 Naya Paisa on the first 1, 2, 5, 10, 25, and 50 Paisa types (i.e. Naya Paisa – 1/100 Rupee).

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