Currency of Bangladesh. History of the origin of the name. Appearance of banknotes and coins

Taka is the official national monetary unit in the state of Bangladesh. In accordance with the international standard, it is assigned code 4217 BDT. The currency of Bangladesh consists of a hundred paisas, which are a local bargaining chip. The common designation of a monetary unit in English is the combination of Tk symbols.

origin of name

The official currency of Bangladesh taka was in 1972. In this field, she changed the Pakistani rupee. We should say a few words about the origin of the name of the Bangladeshi currency. The name "taka" originates from the Sanskrit term "tank", which in ancient times was called silver coins. In addition, the word "taka" was often used in various regions of India. True, the term had several meanings at once.

For example, in the northern part of the country the so-called copper coin was called, which was equivalent to two paises. In turn, one pice was equal to a quarter of anna. In the south of India, taka corresponded to four paisas or one annu. At the same time in Bengal and Orissa, this monetary unit was equivalent to one rupee. It will be by the way to say that in all Indian regions taka was unofficially used in monetary circulation. But the main territory of circulation of the unit was still Bengal. The exchange rate of Bangladesh in the exchange of population and institutions was one to one.

History of a monetary unit

An interesting historical fact is the fact that after the introduction of the rupee by the Turkic-Afghan rulers, and despite the active support of this monetary unit by Moguls and British representatives, the people of Bangladesh still used the name "taka". Moreover, so-called not only ordinary coins, but also silver and gold. The famous Arab traveler Ibn Battuta noted that the Bengalis referred to the gold dinars of the "golden tank". Accordingly, they called silver coins a "silver tank". In other words, regardless of the metal from which the coins were made, the people were called "taka". In the eastern regions of Bangladesh, West Bengal, Orissa, Assam and Tripure, this habit has been consolidated, and even today, centuries later, remains relevant.

Bangladeshi coins

In 1973, modern Bangladeshi coins in denominations of five, ten, twenty-five and fifty Russian were launched. A year later, the currency of Bangladesh appeared to be worth a single value. In 1975, the government introduced one metal "taka". It will be by the way to emphasize that coins worth one, five and ten are made of aluminum, but twenty-five and fifty were steel. One metal taka was produced using a copper-nickel alloy. It is interesting that five pohsh were square in shape with rounded corners, and ten were notched. In 1994, a steel coin was issued in five taka, and in 2004 - two of the same metal.

It should be noted that to date, in circulation, one can often find coins in one, two and five taka. At the same time, one, five, ten, twenty-five and fifty poish are quite rare specimens and are practically not used in circulation.

Paper money in Bangladesh

In 1971, in Bangladesh began to use specially issued Pakistani rupees denominations of one, five and ten units. A year later, their own paper money with a value of one, five, ten and one hundred taka was launched into circulation. At the same time, the former were issued by the Treasury, and the rest by the Bangladesh Bank. In 1975, the light saw the currency of Bangladesh worth fifty taka, two years later - five hundred taka, and in 1980, twelve taka bills were launched. Treasury tickets in nominal value of one currency were printed up to 1984, and five years later tickets appeared in two taka.

In 2000, the government of Bangladesh went on a bold experiment and issued banknotes of plastic, taking as a basis the experience of Australia. Plastic denominations of ten taka worth were launched. Nevertheless, this currency of Bangladesh did not receive wide popularity among the population, and over time such notes had to be withdrawn from circulation.

In conclusion, it should be noted that now there is a tendency for a gradual change of paper denominations in nominal value of one and five taka with metal coins. Our tourists will be interested to know how the currency of Bangladesh is quoted. The rate to the ruble of the local currency is: 1 BDT = 0.79 RUB.