2019-08-07 Wed

Champner is a historical city of Gujarat; formally it is known as Muhammadpur. During the medieval period, this city was the capital of Sultanate of Gujarat.

During the 8th century this city was established by Vanraj Chavda; the most prominent king of Chavda Dynasty. The king named this city after the name of his king and general Champa. Some people also have the theory that the city got its name from the igneous rocks of Pavagadh, whose light yellow color tinged with red gives the appearance of the champaka, or “flame of the forest” flower.

One of the finest architecture of Gujarat, Jama Masjid was built by Sultan Begada of Gujarat Sultanate. The Mughal Empire had also ruled this city during the medieval period when Mughal had control both Gujarat and Malwa the city lost its strategic value as a buffer and the capital of the city was moved to Ahmedabad.

This silver half tanka was issued by Nasir Al din Mahmud Shah I of Gujarat Sultanate. The obverse of this coin is inscribed as ‘Al-Sultan Al-Azam Nasir Al-Dunya Wa’l Din Abul Fath’. The reverse of this is inscribed as ‘Mahmud shah al-sultan’.

Image Courtesy: Todywalla Auction