What was Haj Rupee or External Rupee?

April 02 The Indian rupee has been the legal tender in the Gulf countries, including Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar and UAE, till the early 1970s. In 1959, the Centre allowed the RBI to issue special notes only for the Gulf region. The currency had the same value as the Indian rupee and was known as the Gulf rupee or external rupee.   Indians could also take the Indian rupee notes when they went on the Haj pilgrimage and exchange them freely for Saudi riyals. Later, the Centre introduced special notes for the pilgrimage with the word "HAJ"...