Publications by the Library of Numismatic Studies: Assam
In 1989, Prof. J.P.Singh published his lectures on Monetary Development of Early Assam. Since then, the newly discovered hoards of Pre-Ahom coins from 9th century Assam has made a substantial change to the scenario. Bose visited all the hoard sites, interviewed the persons concerned and recorded his findings in detail. Rhodes and Bose then critically examined the findings which resulted in this book in 2003. This important work is divided into six chapters and five appendices covering inter-alia the early history of Assam and its economic aspects through coins.
On an invitation from the Department of History of the North-Eastern Hill University, Shillong, in early 1995, Bose spoke on Coins and Tokens of Assam (1715-1937).
Later, on the University’s suggestion, he prepared and published this lecture. It highlights the economic role of both coins and tea tokens in the life of the people in the area. It was suggested earlier that most coinage of the medieval kingdoms of north-east India were ceremonial in nature and were struck for the convenience of gifting gold and silver rather than commercially. Current evidence shows otherwise. The book elaborates further and champions the economic role of coined Ahom money in the 18th and 19th centuries.
Assam tea tokens, a private money of the gardeners, held their value only in the respective garden and neighbouring areas of its circulation. This have tied down the garden labourers to the gardens concerned. It is not unlikely that the planters and the officials of the administration were in league with each other in devising the use of this private money as a means of exploiting simple minded labourers.The monograph contains six chapters and seven appendices covering the above.