BOMBAY CHUMS BLOG

Monday, December 15, 2008

Mumbai Terror Attack: Day 1

Even after getting up at 8.00 a.m. i was shocked to see in the news, the terror attack was still going on, still!

With hundreds trapped in the Taj, Oberoi and firing still on, a holiday was declared in Mumbai. With school and colleges declared as closed.

Since it was morning the news was clearer with 10 places in Mumbai being targetted leaving 101 dead.

It was clearly beyond the means of our police force. So the Army and Markos navy commandos were called in. Lastly the elite NSG teams were pressed into action.

I texted all my friends to know abt their whereabouts. The same thing came across their SMSs as well, "we are helpless. hope it ends soon and never happens again"

The Home minister held emergency meeting. Meanwhile an email from some "Deccan Mujahideen" claimed credit.

The ongoing England tour was promptly cancelled plus the Champions League was put into uncertainty as well.

And now the news came in that there was a hostage situation at Nariman House as well. I hardly knew where that was, and surprisingly not even my mom did! But apparently the terrorists knew exactly where it was because it housed home of the ultra-orthodox Jewish outreach group Chabad Lubavitch; which was their target as well.

More NSG commandos were being called for as the gunbattle ragged on at Taj, Nariman House, Trident.

The Prime Minister addressed the nation at 4.30 pm. So late for the PM of the country to speak to his fellow citizens and that too the words were oft heard and there was nothing new or concrete for him to say.







above: Fire brakes out at the Taj. Flames billow out of a window at the Taj hotel.



above: Major fire breaks out inside the Oberoi Trident following a large explosion and gun battles between security agencies and terrorists.

Saturday, December 13, 2008

Mumbai Terror Attack: Mayhem begins

By 11.30 the news was "shoot out at Colaba, explosions at BMC headquarters, gunshots at CST, many injured".

Soon one of the most shocking news came that "ATS chief was dead"! so i scrambled to text my friend to stay home at 2.30 a.m.!

Still the thought was this would end by morning. So I went off to sleep at 4 a.m.!







Viewer descretion is advised.

Firing near Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus at 10.30 p.m. leaves scores of dead people waiting at the platform and ticket counter.

Not even the stray dogs at C.S.T. were spared according another newspaper/t.v. report.

It seems the senseless maniacs were just emotionless.



Terrorists hijack a police jeep and as they near Metro Cinema open fire on unsuspecting cameramen and bystanders who are going towards the jeep expecting their own city cops in it to guide them of whats happening.



above: The video of the hijacked jeep shooting.











above: Here they are seen in CCTV footage screencaps approaching the hospital.

Terrorists in a hijacked Skoda drew up at the Cama hospital and began firing randomly outside and inside the hospital. Residents of hutments behind the hospital were also targeted when terrorists knocked on the doors and killed whoever came in the way. Thakur Vaghela who was having dinner with his 6-year-old son Yash was shot in front of his kid.

Read this report:

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/News/PoliticsNation/Theres_no_healing_touch_here/articleshow/3767089.cms

Friday, December 12, 2008

Mumbai Terror Attack: Landing of Terrorists

When 9/11 happened we all remember where we were. I had just come from my classes and was watching t.v. when i flipped through BBC and saw the greatest terror attack on U.S. soil unfold.

So where were you when the greatest terror attack on Indian soil (to date) took place?

I remember i was at home watching 9X when i turned to Aajtak Hindi. First it was reported the shootings were between 2 gangs. but then the reports came in fast that the shooting spree had spread to C.S.T. and even CAMA hospital.

Suddenly it was dawning that this wasnt some gang war but a terror attack!

I remember texting my friend "by god terror attack in progress" by 11 o'clock.





What had really happened:
A shipping trawler had been used by a group of 10 to 16 (reported) terrorists to come all the way from Karachi, Pakistan to Mumbai!

They had manages to evade the coast guard using fake ID cards! (read: http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/PoliticsNation/Coast_Guard_let_off_Kuber_after_terrorists_gave_fake_I-cards/articleshow/3786023.cms)



The Indian fishing trawler Kuber whoes captain was killed. One of the hijacked ships's crew was made to cook food for the terrorists. After they had used his services, they unceremoniously slit his throat.



The dead crew member of Kuber above.

Afterwards they got into a dingy boat, and land at the Colaba Koliwada.



The dingy boat used by the terrorists.

Monday, December 1, 2008

Magadha Janapada Coin


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Originally uploaded by vk_i_maverick
Magadha Janapada

Magadha Janapada roughly corresponds to the present Patna and Gaya districts of south Bihar. In the north it was bounded by the Ganges, in the west by the Son, upto the river Champa in east upto the Vindhya range in the South.

period: 600 - 400 B.C.
metal: silver
weight: 50.4 grains
deno: Karashapana

Legend:

The first reference to the Magadhas occurs in the Atharva-Veda where they are found listed along with the Angas, Gandharis and the Mujavats as a despised people. The bards of Magadha are, however, referred to in early Vedic literature and are spoken of in terms of contempt.

The Vedic dislike of the Magadhas in early times was due to the fact that the Magadhas were not yet wholly Brahmanised.

According to the Mahabharata and the Puranas, the earliest ruling dynasty of Magadha was founded by king Brihadratha, but Magadha came into prominence only under king Bimbisara and his son Ajatasatru.

The kingdom of the Magadhas roughly corresponded to the modern districts of Patna and Gaya in southern Bihar, and parts of Bengal in the east. It was bounded on the north by river Ganga, on the east by the river Champa, on the south by Vindhya mountains and on the west by river Sona.

During Buddha's time, its boundaries included Anga. Its earliest capital was Girivraja or Rajagriha modern Rajgir in Patna district of Bihar. The other names for the city were Magadhapura, Brihadrathapura, Vasumati, Kushagrapura and Bimbisarapuri.

It was an active center of Jainism in ancient times. The first Buddhist Council was held in Rajagriha in the Vaibhara Hills. Later on, Pataliputra became the capital of Magadha.

Malla Janapada Coin


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Originally uploaded by vk_i_maverick
Malla Janapada

The Malla Janapada was situated to the west of Videha and to the northwest of Magadha. Modern Deoria and Gorakhpur district in Uttar Pradesh can be identified with this ancient Janpada.

period: 550 - 320 B.C.
metal: silver
weight: 30.4 grains
deno: 1 1/2 Shana

Legend:
From the Mahabharata:

The epic Mahabharata speaks about a Northern Mallas and a Southern Mallas conquered by the Pandava Bhima during his military campaign through the eastern kingdoms to collect tribute for King Yudhisthira's Rajasuya sacrifice.

Mahabharata mention Mallas along with the Angas, Vangas, and Kalingas as eastern tribes. The Mallas were republican people with their dominion consisting of nine territories (Kalpa Sutra; Nirayavali Sutra), one of each of the nine confederated clans. Two of these confederations...one with Kuśināra (modern Kasia near Gorakhpur) as its capital, second with Pava (modern Padrauna, 12 miles from Kasia) as the capital, had become very important at the time of Buddha.

Kuśināra and Pava are very important in the history of Buddhism since Buddha took his last meal and was taken ill at Pava and breathed his last at Kusinara.

The Mallas, like the Lichchhavis, are mentioned by Manusmriti as Vratya Kshatriyas. They are called Vasishthas (Vasetthas) in the Mahapparnibbana Suttanta.

The Mallas originally had a monarchical form of government but later they switched to Samgha (republic) of which the members called themselves rajas. The Mallas were a brave and warlike people.

Jainism and Buddhism found many followers among the Mallas. The Mallas appeared to have formed alliance with Lichchhavis for self defense. They however, lost their independence not long after Buddha's death and their dominions were annexed to the Magadhan empire.

Shakya Janapada Coin


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Originally uploaded by vk_i_maverick
Shakya Janapada

Kingdom of the Shakyas was located at the Indo-Nepal border on the north of Gorakhpur. Its capital was Kapilvastu. It was situated on the bank of Bhagirathi.

period: 600 - 500 B.C.
metal: silver
weight: 104.4. grains
deno: 5 Shana

Kamboja Janapada Coin


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Originally uploaded by vk_i_maverick
Kamboja Janapada

It was adjoining the country in the extreme north - west. It was generally associated with Gandhara in ancient literature. Kambojas occupy roughly the province of Rajauri, Hazara district and Kafiristan.

metal: silver
weight: 43.1 grains
deno: 1/4 shatamana

Legend:

Kambojas are also included in the Uttarapatha. In ancient literature, the Kamboja is variously associated with the Gandhara, Darada and the Bahlika (Bactria).

Ancient Kamboja is known to have comprised regions on either side of the Hindukush. The original Kamboja was located in eastern Oxus country as neighbor to Bahlika, but with time, some clans of Kambojas appear to have crossed Hindukush and planted colonies on its southern side also. These latter Kambojas are associated with the Daradas and Gandharas in Indian literature and also find mention in the Edicts of Ashoka.

The evidence in Mahabharata and in Ptolemy's Geography distinctly supports two Kamboja settlements.

The capital of Kamboja was probably Rajapura (modern Rajori) in south-west of Kashmir.

The Kambojas were also a well known republican people since Epic times. Mahabharata refers to several Ganah (or Republics) of the Kambojas. Kautiliya's Arthashastra and Ashoka's Edict No. XIII also attest that the Kambojas followed republican constitution. Panini's Sutras , though tend to convey that the Kamboja of Panini was a Kshatriya Monarchy, but the special rule and the exceptional form of derivative he gives to denote the ruler of the Kambojas implies that the king of Kamboja was a titular head (king consul) only.

Gandhara Janapada Coin


owner Amol N. Bankar from wikipedia and http://www.geocities.com/ancientcoinsofindia/




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Originally uploaded by vk_i_maverick
Gandhara Janapada

Kingdom of Gandhara Janapada was extended from Kabul in Afganistan to Peshawar in Pakistan. Its capital was Taxila.

period: 600 - 400 B.C.
metal: silver
weight: 175.8 grains
deno: Shatamana

By the way the flower symbol that one can see in the picture is located inside the curvy part. So i had to bend over and see it. I tried to take a picture but it didnt come out! :(

Legend:
From the Mahabharata:
The wool of Gandharis is referred to in the Rigveda. The Gandharis, along with the Mujavantas, Angas and the Magadhas, are also mentioned in the Atharvaveda, but apparently as a despised people. Gandharas are included in the Uttarapatha division of Puranic and Buddhistic traditions. Aitareya Brahmana refers to king Naganajit of Gandhara who was contemporary of raja Janaka of Videha. According to Dr Zimmer, Gandharas were settled since the Vedic times on the south bank of river Kubha (Kabol) up to its mouth into Indus itself. Later the Gandharas crossed Indus and expanded into parts of north-west Panjab. Gandharas and their king figure prominently as strong allies of the Kurus against the Pandavas in Mahabharata war. The Gandharas were a furious people, well trained in the art of war.

The Gandhara kingdom sometimes also included Kashmira [8]. Hecataeus of Miletus (549-468) refers to Kaspapyros (Kasyapura i.e Kashmira) as Gandharic city. According to Gandhara Jataka, at one time, Gandhara formed a part of the kingdom of Kashmir.

The Gandhara kingdom sometimes also included Kashmira [8]. Hecataeus of Miletus (549-468) refers to Kaspapyros (Kasyapura i.e Kashmira) as Gandharic city. According to Gandhara Jataka, at one time, Gandhara formed a part of the kingdom of Kashmir.

The boundaries of Gandhara varied throughout history. Sometimes the Peshawar valley and Taxila were collectively referred to as Gandhara and sometimes the Swat valley (Sanskrit: Suvāstu) was also included. The heart of Gandhara however was always the Peshawar valley. The kingdom was ruled from capitals at Pushkalavati (Charsadda), Taxila, Purushapura (Peshawar) and in its final days from Udabhandapura (Hund) on the Indus. According to the Puranas, they have been named after Taksha and Pushkara, the two sons of Bharata, a king of Ayodhya.

In the Mahabharat the wife of Kuru King Dhritarashtra was Gandhari, the daughter of Subala or Suvala. Gandhara prince Sakuni was the root of all the conspiracies of Duryodhana against the Pandavas, which finally resulted in the Kurushketra war. Sakuni's sister was the wife of the Kuru king Dhritarashtra.

Takshasila was founded by Raghava Rama's brother Bharata. Bharata's descendants ruled this kingdom afterwards. During epic period it was ruled by Sakuni's father Suvala, Sakuni and Sakuni's son. Arjuna defeated Sakuni's son Uluka during his post-war military campaign for Yudhishtira's Ashwamedha Yagna.

Kuntala Janapada and Ayodhya Janapada Coins


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Originally uploaded by vk_i_maverick
Kuntala Janapada

The Kunatala Janapada region included the southern part of Maharashtra and northern part of Karnataka.

period: 600 - 400 B.C.
metal: silver
weight: 98.6 grains
deno: 1/2 Karashapana

Ayodhya Janapada

period: 600 - 400 B.C.
metal: silver
weight: 100.4 grains
deno: 5 Shana

Saurashtra Janapada Coin


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Originally uploaded by vk_i_maverick
Saurashtra Janapada

Saurashtra of modern Saurashtra or the Kathiawar region of Gujarat which include Junagadh, Amroli, Bhavnagar districts. Its capital was Girinagar, northern Junagadh city.

period: 430 - 300 B.C.
metal: silver
weight: 15.2 grains
deno: 1/4 Karashapana

Ashmaka Janapada Coin


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Originally uploaded by vk_i_maverick
Ashamaka Janapada

Ashmaka Janapada was located in northern Maharashtra between the Godavari and the Narmada rivers. Present district of Nasik, Dhule, Jalgaon and Aurangabad can be identified as the regions of Ashmaka Janapada.

period: 500 - 350 B.C.
metal: silver
weight: 23.8 grains
deno: 1/2 Karashapana

Legend:
From the Mahabharata: The Country of Assaka or Ashmaka tribe was located in Dakshinapatha or a southern India. In Buddha's time, Assakas were located on the banks of river Godavari (south of Vindhya mountains). The capital of Assakas was Potana or Potali which corresponds to Paudanya of Mahabharata.

Vidarbha Janapada Coin


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Originally uploaded by vk_i_maverick
Vidarbha Janapada

The existence of the Vidarbha Janapada is known through the Jataka and ancient literature. Vidarbha was divided into two regions by Wardha river. During the early period the western region was called Bhojakata and eastern as Bhannakat. The modern Vidarbha consist of the eastern parts of Maharashtra covering district of Nagpur, Chandrapur, Bhandara, Wardha, Gadchiroli, Amravati, Yavatmal, Buldhana and Akola.

period: 600 - 500 B.C.
metal: silver
weight: 18.8 grains
deno: 1/4 Karashapana

Kosala Janapada Coin


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Originally uploaded by vk_i_maverick
Kosala Janapada

The ancient Mahajanapada of Kosala with its capital at Shravasti (modern Sat amahat in Gonda district) was bounded by the Nepal hills on the north, the area bounded by the Gomati on the west, the Sarpika, modern Sai in the south and the Sadamira, modern ....

period: 525 - 465 B.C.
metal: silver
weight: 40.2 grains
deno: Karashapana

Legend:

From the Ramayana: Kosala Proper or Uttara Kosala is the kingdom of the celebrated personality of Treta Yuga, Raghava Rama. Rama's sons Lava and Kusa inherited parts of this kingdom. Lava ruled from the city called Sravasti and Kusa from the city called Kusavati.

From the Mahabharata:

Vriahadvala was a Kosala king mentioned as a general under Duryodhana, in the Kurukshetra War. This kingdom was defeated by the Pandava general Bhima, in his military campaign to the east. It seems that this Kosala had its power extended to the neighbouring kingdom of Kasi to the south of it, because Vrihadvala sometimes commanded the troops from Kasi also in Kurukshetra War. This probably was the reason to consider Kasi-Kosala as a single kingdom. For a period of time in the past, Kasi would have been a vassal state of Kosala kingdom. The grandmothers of Kauravas and Pandavas were called sometimes as princesses of Kasi and some times as princesses of Kosala, attesting to this fact.

Avanti Janapada Coin


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Originally uploaded by vk_i_maverick
Avanti Janapada

Avanti or Avantika was one of the four monarchical Mahajanapadas during the pre-Mauryan period. It was located at modern Malwa, Nimar and adjoining parts of Madhya Pradesh,

period: 500 - 400 B.C.
metal: silver
weight: 20.4 grains
deno: 1/2 Karashapana

Legend:
From the Mahabharata: Was ruled by the Yadava kings and Krishna and Balram had their education in Avanti. Avanti was divided into north and south by river Vetravati. The two kings of Avanti (Vinda and Anuvinda) allied with the Kauravas in Kurukshetra War.

Sursena Janapada Coin


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Originally uploaded by vk_i_maverick
Sursena Janapada

Sursena is the one of the sixteen Mahajanapadas of the Buddhist chronicles. It can be located at Braj, the region around Mathura in Uttar Pradesh. Its capital was Mathura.

period: 500 - 350 B.C.
metal: silver
weight: 24.4 grains
deno: 1/2 Karashapana

Legend:
From the Mahabharata: Sursena was the grandfather of Krishna and father of Kansa. He was also the maternal grandfather of Pandavas since Kunti was his daughter. The area around Mathura was named after the Yadu clan King.

Vanga Janapada Coin


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Originally uploaded by vk_i_maverick
Vanga Janapada

The western part of West Bengal can be identified as Vanga Janapada of the early historic India.

period: 550-500 B.C.
metal: silver
weight: 34.4 grains
deno: Karashapana

Kashi Janapada Coin


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Originally uploaded by vk_i_maverick
Kashi Janapada

Modern Banaras district including parts of Jaunpur, Ghazipur, and Mirzapur districts can be identified as ancient Mahajanapada of Kashi. Probably Kashi was name of the country of which Banaras was capital.

period: 600 - 521 B.C.
metal: silver
weight: 72 grains
deno: 1 shana

Legend:
From the Mahabharata: Bheeshma defeated all the Kings at the swayamwar of the Kashi naresh's daughters can carried away Amba, Ambika and Ambalika for Vichitravir.

Panchala Janapada Coin


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Originally uploaded by vk_i_maverick
Panchala Janapada

Originally Panchala was the country, north and east of Delhi from the foot of the Himalayas to the river Chambal. The Ganga divided it into north and south Panchala. Dakshina Panchala capital was Kampilya while the capital of Uttar Panchala was Ahichhatra.

period: 400 - 350 B.C.
metal: silver
weight: 32.8 grains
deno: Karashapana

Legends:
From Mahabharata: Wife of the Pandavas was daughter of Panchala naresh Drupada. She was also known as Panchali.

Chedi Janapada Coin


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Originally uploaded by vk_i_maverick
Chedi Janapada

This Janapada was situated on the south of Jamuna river. Towards the north west side is the Chambal river, towards the south east side extended upto Kaveri (District Banda). Its area was between Pathar of Malwa and the hill range of Bundlekhand.

period: 550 - 400 B.C.
metal: silver
weight: 49 grains
deno: 2 shana

Legends:
From the Mahabharata: Krishna had wife Rukmini. Her brother Rukmi wanted to marry his sister to the King of Chedi, Shishupal.

Coins of the Janapadas


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Originally uploaded by vk_i_maverick
The text here says:

At the beginning of the sixth century BC there was no paramount power in India. It was divided into large number of independent states. According to the Buddhist text, they flourished shortly before the time of Gautama Buddha. The Janapadas issued their own coins which dates between 6th to 4th centuries BC. All the earliest Indian coins known so far are of gold, silver, copper, lead. The coins are made by punchmark technique in which one to five symbols are punched on the obverse side of the coin. The reverse side has some minute bankers mark which certifies the purity and weight of these coins.

Silver Punch-marked coins of the Janapadas


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Originally uploaded by vk_i_maverick
Silver Punch-Marked coins of the Janapadas.

These were the most ancient coins that very on display and i couldnt help taking pictures of all of them.

Pictured here are the 16 Mahajanapadas of Buddhist literature,
c. 550 B.C.

British India Coins


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Originally uploaded by vk_i_maverick
Coins issued by the British in India. I have a number of these myself.

But certainly not all of them. :(

The British Monetary System in India


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Originally uploaded by vk_i_maverick
The british monetary system in India.

1/2 anna = 1 pie
3 pies = 1 pice (paise)
4 pice = 1 anna
16 annas = 1 rupee
15 rupees = 1 mohur

Numbered Full House


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Originally uploaded by vk_i_maverick
10 Rupee notes: fancy numbered notes collection. Full House!!! :P :D

Portuguese government notes in india


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Originally uploaded by vk_i_maverick
Notes issued by the Portuguese Government of Goa.

Rupees and Escudos.

The guy pictured is Vasco Da Gama!

Nizam's notes in India


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Originally uploaded by vk_i_maverick
Notes issued by the Nizam of Hyderabad before Independence!

Indian notes used in Burma


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Originally uploaded by vk_i_maverick
Now i didnt even know this was the case.

Indian notes used in Burma.

Issued by India used in Pakistan


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Originally uploaded by vk_i_maverick
This note is so rare. Issued by India and used by Government of Pakistan.

It says "Reserve Bank of India" with the King's picture and on the left "Government of Pakistan".

Uniface British India notes


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Originally uploaded by vk_i_maverick
Very rare "Uniface British India notes"

one more 4 sicca rupees


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Originally uploaded by vk_i_maverick
Another picture of the 4 sicca rupee. Note how thin the paper is!

16 Sicca Rupees


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Originally uploaded by vk_i_maverick
16 Sicca Rupees. Bank Of Hindostan! :o

4 Sicca Rupees


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Originally uploaded by vk_i_maverick
Rarest of rare in the world today is the "4 sicca rupees" dated 1830.

One can read "Hindostan" on it. Issued by the East India Company!!! :o

British India paper money


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Originally uploaded by vk_i_maverick
Old British India paper money notes.

KGV denotes King George V

Rare 2/8 Note


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Originally uploaded by vk_i_maverick
This was a solo effort by a dedicated collector.

A very rare rupees 2/8 note!!! One of the earliest.

Infact the collector urged me to take a special picture of this note as not many are available even for coin enthusiasts!

Answering my mother's question regarding how he managed to aquire it, he said through searching the length and breadth of India has managed to collect all his coins and notes.

Mumbai Coin Society Fair

I had gone to the Mumbai Coin Society Fair at Sunderbhai Hall, Churchgate on 9th November.

It was a very educating and immensly pleasurable experiance!

By God i wasnt aware that some rare coins can fetch lakhs of rupees!

Also on display and sale were stamps both indian and foreign, envelopes, used stamps, old silver articles, indian and foreign coins for sale. Old books, painting, artifacts, photographs of Indian rulers which were quite grand and made the Kings and Queens of Europe look like beggars! :o The ornaments and clothes of our yesteryear rulers were magnifique! :)

But since i went on the last day itself and it was evening, i had to speed up. On top of that my camera battery was down.

Yet i took pictures. So here are a ton of pictures that i took. :)

Special thanx to my friend Khyati who told me about it. :D

Btw the next one's in April. See you there...

And just to note more that 5000 people attended the fair over 3 days! :D