MUSCAT: The Indian Embassy hosted the 6th lecture in the 'Mandvi to Muscat' series, featuring Swagat Pani, an anthropologist and historian delivering a lecture narrating the presence of the Indian Rupee in Oman and the Gulf region.
Pani delved into various facets, including British India Coins and Rupees in Oman, the history of the Maria Theresa Thaler, Rupees in biographies, the Rupee as a tool of emancipation, and the significance of the Gulf Rupee.
Using currency as a medium, he traced the history of contact between India and the Gulf region, in particular Oman and the influence of the Indian currencies historically in nurturing cultural exchanges between India and Oman.
Pani looked at the importance of trade in history while reflecting on world history as well as in the broader context the silver mines of South, Flora de La Plata, Mughal India and Ming China. He highlighted the significance of trade, producers and consumers of silver
Pani explained how coins have been functioning as a form of historical record, Because of the durability of coins as opposed to parchment, paper leaves. It is also being a sign of sovereignty of the ruler and administrative power structure as well as form of communicated communication between the ruler and the ruled. In circulation was quarter Anna vasa and 112 Anna Ghazi Indian copper coins.”
Amit Narang, Ambassador of India to Oman reflected on the success of the lectures, emphasised on the lecture series' significant role in deepening understanding and appreciation of the contributions made by the Indian diaspora to the India-Oman relationship.
The event also featured presentations by Amit Sampat, who focused on the rich history of the Naranjee Hirjee family tracing their roots to Mandvi, their journey as one of the prominent diaspora families from India in Oman and their successful integration with and contribution to the development of modern Oman.
Indian-origin Omani citizen Dr Akbar Rafay was the other speaker for the event, and shared anecdotes from the life of his late father, Dr Syed Mohammed Rafay, who rendered distinguished service as the personal physician of Late His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said and made pioneering contributions in the development of medical service in the Sultanate of Oman.
Adding a touch of artistic diplomacy, noted diaspora artist Sedunath Prabhakar presented the Ambassador with a painting depicting the milestone meeting of Prime Minister Narendra Modi with His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik during the latter’s maiden State visit to India in December 2023.
This painting will be the latest part of the exhibition ‘India-Oman: A Political Journey’ that is on permanent display at the Embassy of India.
The 'Mandvi to Muscat' lecture series continues to serve as a platform for cultural exchange strengthening the longstanding people-to-people ties between both countries.
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