The correct option is (c) 1 and 3 only
Explanation
The rise of Sikh power in the 18th century occurred amidst the decline of the Mughal Empire and the invasions of Ahmad Shah Abdali. The establishment of sovereign Sikh rule was symbolically marked by the minting of independent coinage, distinct from Mughal currency.
Statement-wise Analysis:
- Statement 1 is Correct: In 1765, the Sikhs assembled at Amritsar during Baisakhi and passed a Gurmatta to declare their sovereign rule. Following this, they captured Lahore and struck their own coins to formalize their independence from both the Mughals and the Afghans.
- Statement 2 is Incorrect: The coins struck by the Sikhs did not bear the image or name of the Mughal Emperor Shah Alam II. Unlike other regional powers (such as the Marathas or the English East India Company in the early stages) who often minted coins in the name of the Mughal Emperor to gain legitimacy, the Sikhs established a distinct political identity. Their coins bore Persian inscriptions praising the Sikh Gurus.
- Statement 3 is Correct: The coins struck in 1765 repeated the inscription found on the seal of Banda Singh Bahadur (who had first struck Sikh coins around 1710). The inscription attributed the "Degh" (cauldron/charity), "Tegh" (sword/power), and "Fateh" (victory) to the grace of Guru Nanak and Guru Gobind Singh. These coins are often referred to as Nanak Shahi or Gobind Shahi coins.
Key Takeaway:
The Sikh coins (Nanak Shahi) were a symbol of absolute sovereignty, struck in the names of the Gurus rather than any temporal Mughal ruler, distinguishing the Sikh state from other 18th-century successor states.