Uncirculated, Exceedingly Rare.

Sira, located in Tumkur district, Karnataka, was made into a provincial capital by Aurangzeb, when he annexed the last remaining vestiges of the Adilashahi and Qutbshahi Sultanates and reorganized the newly conquered territories into two new Mughal provinces - Karnatak Balaghat and Karnatak Payinghat. Sira was ruled by a succession of provincial governors, who later in 18th century became practically independent as Nawabs. Even though a town of great political importance it is surprising that Sira left a very scant numismatic record, and rare rupees with mint-names 'Karnatak' and 'Dar al-Zafar Bijapur Karnatak' are plausibly struck here. This is the first instance that a mohur struck in the name of Aurangzeb has come to light. It is struck towards the end of Aurangzeb's reign, during the governorship of Murad Mansur Khan. Local kingdoms like Harpanahalli, Kondarpi, Anegundi, Bednur, Chitaldroog and Mysore were considered to be tributary to the province of Sira and it is likely that the coin was struck by one of these, to pay a tribute to the Mughals.