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    Sultanate architecture and coinage

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    Sultanate architecture and coinage

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    Sultanate architecture and coinage

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    of 3

    Coins of Delhi Sultanate

    5.1 Do you know

    Description Image Source


    Once the Delhi sultanate was firmly established
    in the 13th century, Indian coinage underwent a
    major change. The ancient pictorial tradition of
    coinage gave way to the so-called Islamic type of
    coins which were sans any pictorial motif.
    Islamic type of coins had inscription written in
    Arabic script on both the sides and furnished
    more information than their ancient counter
    parts. It offers Religious and Secular information

    The Khalji sultan Alauddin Muhammad Shah


    (1296-1316 CE), discarded the name of Abbasid
    Caliph from his coins and called himself Yamin-
    ul Khilafat (right hand of Caliph). The title was
    used for the first time by an Indian ruler. He also
    adopted the title of sikander-us-sani (Second
    Alexander). This indicates that he was well
    aware of the importance of Alexander, and
    wanted to be recognised as the second
    Alexander.

    Qutubuddin Mubarak (1316-1320 CE), the


    successor of Alauddin Khalji is known to have
    issued coins in gold, silver, billon and copper. He
    made a remarkable change in his coin inscription
    as he has not only discarded the name of Abbasid
    caliph but declared himself as caliph and called
    himself khalifullah (caliph of Allah) and
    Khalifah rabil alemin (caliph of the lord of the
    world). He also adopted the title of sikander uz
    zaman.

    Muhammad bin Tughluq (1325-1351 CE)


    introduced token currency in bronze. It weighed
    around 10 gm. and ruler has asked to accept this
    bronze tanka at the rate of silver tanka current in
    the market.
    An appeal inscribed on the coins reads man ata
    as-sultan faqad ata rahman (he who obeys king
    obeys the God) on one side and Muhr shud tanka
    raij dar raijgar banda –e- umidwar Muhammad
    Tughluq (sealed as a tanka current in the reign of
    slave, hopeful Muhammad Tughluq) on the
    other.
    Bahlol Lodi (1451-1459 CE), an Afghan
    established Lodi dynasty in India in 1451 CE and
    the dynasty continued to rule till 1526 when
    Babar defeated the Lodi sultan Ibrahim Lodi.
    Bahlol made some changes in his coinage.
    Discarded Gold and silver coins, but continued to
    issue billon and copper coins.

    Sher Shah (1538-1540CE) has given the term


    rupiya to his silver coins, it weighed about 11.5
    gms. varies from 11.2 to 11.6 gms. Fractions of
    these coins are also reported.

    He re-introduced Devanagari legend, inscribing


    his name as Sri Ser Sahi on his silver coins.

    Sher Shah discarded billon coins and introduced


    heavy copper coins.

    It is generally believed that the term paisa was


    probably given by Sher Shah to his copper
    coins, weighed at 20gms.Fractions of these coins
    are also reported.

    5.2 Timeline
    Timelines Image Description

    The Delhi sultanate was ruled by Khalji dynasty. Alauddin


    Muhammad shah was the most popular and strong ruler of
    1290-1320 CE
    this dynasty. He adopted the title of Sikander -us-sani
    (second Alexander)
    On collapse of the Khalji dynasty, Ghiyasuddin founded the
    Tughluq dynasty in 1320 CE and ruled till 1325 CE, the dynasty,
    however, ruled till 1414 CE by many sultans.
    1320-1414 CE
    Ghiyasuddin Tughluq, Muhammad bin Tughluq and Firuz
    Tughluq are the important sultan of this dynasty.

    During this period Tughluq dynasty was ruled by Muhammad bin


    Tughluq. He expanded his empire from north to south, even
    shifted his capital to Devgiri (Daulatabad). He made various
    1325-1351 CE
    changes in the coinage of the Delhi sultanate, re-introduced the
    name of Abbasid Caliph of Egypt (now the seat of Caliph is
    Egypt), modified the weight standard of coins and introduced
    token currency in bronze.

    The Delhi sultanate in this period witnessed the rules of Suri


    dynasty. It was founded by Sher Shah Suri who ruled from 1538-
    1545 CE. He is generally known in Indian history for his revenue
    1538-1556 CE
    administration and public welfare schemes. In the coinage history
    of India also, he has a distinct position, and is known for his
    currency reforms

    5.3 Glossary
    Staring Related
    Term Definition
    Character Term
    T Tanka The term was used for Gold and Silver coins of
    Mameluk and Khaljis of Delhi sultanates
    J Jital The billon( mixed metal of silver and copper) coins of
    Delhi sultanate are termed as jital
    S Sikander-us-sani The Arabic term for second Alexander, the title was first
    used by Alauddin Muhammad Shah Khalji on his gold
    and silver coins
    N Nasir amir al- English translation; Deputy of commander of
    momenin faithful(Khalifah). The term was used by many sultans of
    Delhi sultanate on their gold and silver coins. Here the
    term amir al-momenin is used for Abbasid khalifah of
    Baghdad and Egypt

    5.4 Bibliography

    Bibliography

    Goron, Stan and J.P. Goenka., The Coins of Indian Sultanates, New-Delhi, 2001

    Gupta, Parmeshwari Lal, Coins, National Book Trust, New Delhi

    Jha, Amiteshwar., Bhartiye sikke ek aitehasik Parichay (in Hindi) , Nasik, 2003.

    Moin, Danish, Coins of Delhi Sultanates, Nasik, 1999.

    Moin, Danish., Catalogue of Medieval Coins in Assam State Museum, Guwahati, Guwahati, 2010.

    Rajgor, Dilip., Standard Catalogue of Sultanate Coins of India, Mumbai

    Thomas, Edward, Chronicles of Pathan King of Delhi, London, 1871.

    Wright, H Nelson., Catalogue of the Coins in Indian Museum Calcutta vol. II, Oxford, 1907.

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