Rare Azad Hind currency to be exhibited in Kolkata

A rare assortment of postcards and bank notes associated with Azad Hind, the provisional government-in-exile formed by Netaji Subash Chandra Bose, and Indian National Army medals will be on display at a three-day numismatic exhibition beginning here on Friday.

Themed “Heritage of Bengal”, the assemblage will showcase coins of Bengal right from the 3rd century BC till British rule in India.

“The first coins of Bengal dating back to 3rd century BC, coins from northeast such as those from Assam and Tripura, and assorted items (10 to 15 in number) such as currency and medals related to Azad Hind Fauj and the INA will be showcased for the public,” said Numismatic Society of Calcutta secretary Samarjit Ghosal on Monday.

The “Sher-e-Hind”, the highest military decoration awarded by the Azad Hind government, features in the display. The Azad Hind collection was sourced from Numismatist Prithwish Das Gupta, said Ghosal.

Other highlights include famine tokens dating back to the 1874 Bengal famine which were used to purchase rations.

The exhibition will be held at Haldiram Banquets and will conclude on December 27.