XERAFINS, TANGAS E BAZARUCOS: THE CURRENCY IN THE STATE OF INDIA IN THE 16^TH AND 17TH CENTURIES

Abstract

The conquest of Goa and the formation of the State of India were accompanied by the establishment of a particular monetary zone, differentiated from the regime of the currency of Portugal and based on the translation and use of local species that had extrinsic value endorsed by the delegated powers. The Portuguese thus overlapped and used an ancient Indian monetary tradition. In addition to the creation of Mints and monetary workshops that coined pieces of gold, silver and copper, with values referenced to the Portuguese monetary standard (the real), the functioning of this monetary zone also depended on the activity of the xaraffo (from the Arabic ṣ the ) or sarrafo (in the Portuguese version), as these moneychangers were called, specialists in the testing and exchange of coins, who were found in all fairs and markets. In this text, in addition to understanding the formation of this specific zone of the monetary system of the Portuguese Empire, we want to highlight the role played by these intermediaries of the currency (sarrafos).

Keywords
Portuguese Colonial Empire; State of India; monetary system; currency history; sarrafos ; exchanger