Question 1

When was the first Republic India 1000 Rupee note issued?

Accepted Answer

The first Republic India 1000 Rupee note was introduced on 1 April 1954 by the Reserve Bank of India, following the 1946 demonetisation of high-denomination British India notes.

Question 2

What is the "Tanjore Temple" 1000 Rupee note?

Accepted Answer

The Tanjore Temple note is the collector name for the large-format 1000 Rupee notes issued between 1954 and 1978, featuring the Brihadeeswarar Temple at Thanjavur on the reverse. Their size, restricted prefix ranges, and low survival after the 1978 demonetisation make them among the most sought-after Republic India notes.

Question 3

How do I identify the issuing circle on an Ashoka Pillar 1000 Rupee note?

Accepted Answer

By the prefix letter of the serial number (A = Bombay, H = Calcutta, Q = Madras, U = Kanpur, X = Delhi) and by the printed city name at the bottom centre of the obverse.

Question 4

Why does the earliest 1000 Rupee note say "Rupaya" instead of "Rupaye"?

Accepted Answer

The first issue used the singular Hindi form Rupaya (रुपया) in error. This was a plate engraving oversight rather than a mechanical printing fault. The correction to Rupaye (रुपये) was later applied.

Question 5

Were Republic India 1000 Rupee notes demonetised?

Accepted Answer

Yes, twice. The Ashoka Pillar issues (B227–B230) were demonetised on 16 January 1978. The Mahatma Gandhi series (B278–B297) was demonetised on 9 November 2016. Neither series is legal tender today.

Republic India Notes

Republic India 1000 Rupee Note: History, Varieties & Value