UP CM Yogi unveils Hinduja Foundation’s landmark study on Ancient North Indian Coinage
Babushahi Bureau
Chandigarh, January 9, 2026 — In a major step toward preserving India’s numismatic heritage, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath today unveiled a comprehensive new book titled ‘Early North India and Its Coinage’.
Published by the Hinduja Foundation, the philanthropic arm of the 110-year-old Hinduja Group, the volume marks India’s first illustrated and exhaustive study of indigenous coinage from 300 BCE to 300 CE.
The unveiling ceremony took place in the presence of UP Minister of Tourism and Culture Jaiveer Singh, along with Hinduja Foundation Trustees Prakash P. Hinduja and Ashok P. Hinduja.
The book, authored by historian Devendra Handa, documents over 850 coins, representing the largest assemblage of tribal, republican, and monarchical coinage from post-Mauryan North India, covering regions across Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, and Rajasthan.
Addressing the gathering, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath emphasized that preserving history is a "national responsibility."
He lauded the Hinduja Foundation for shedding light on the economic and cultural fabric of early North India, noting that the book serves as an invaluable resource for understanding the enduring contributions of Indian civilization to world history.
The Hinduja Foundation’s collection currently holds over 34,000 historically significant coins, with nearly 4,200 originating from Uttar Pradesh alone. Mr. Ashok P. Hinduja, Chairman of the Hinduja Foundation, expressed his gratitude to the Chief Minister, stating that the Hinduja family views itself as a custodian of India’s civilizational heritage, especially after centuries of foreign incursions led to the loss of precious artifacts.
Public Access and Academic Value
A significant highlight of the event was the announcement of plans to showcase selected coins from the Foundation’s vast collection at the Lucknow Museum for public viewing. The book itself features an extraordinary array of coin shapes and metals, including early depictions of deities like Kārttikeya, Śiva, and Lakṣmī, offering clues into ancient trade, religion, and daily life.
Mr. Raman Kalyanakrishnan, CEO of the Hinduja Foundation, noted that the publication is a vital step in making North India’s glorious heritage accessible to students and scholars alike. By combining archaeological data with high-quality illustrations, the Foundation aims to ensure that India’s "forgotten heritage" is carried forward to future generations.