2017-09-28 Thu

The invasion of Muslims invaders in India changed the pattern of Indian coins completely. The representation of the figurines in the coins of this subcontinent was not present in Muslim coins. This new coinage removed the depiction of a figure on their coins. This type of illustration can be seen on other monetary systems of the Islamic world. Indian coins now inscribed inscription of kings in Arabic or in Persian on both sides of the coin. Rulers used to issue coins on the different events, for e.g: when they conquered a kingdom or fort or a town. They also issued coins to record their name with all their title. These coins also depicted date in Hijri era and the place of the issue on the coins. This coinage is known for a very prominent and persistent use of the Kalima: ‘La ilah ill-illah Muhammad-ur-Rasool Allah (There is no God but Allah and Muhammad is the prophet of Allah) on it.

Muhammad Ghazni, invaded India in the year 1001 AD. He has issued a gold coin which weighs around 160 grain (10 gram). On the obverse, side coin is inscribed with ‘Al-Qadir Billah Amir Ul-Momanin’ meaning ‘Khalifa Al-Qadir Billah: the Amir of the Faithful’. The reverse of the coin is inscribed with the long inscription which declares ‘the Dinara (the gold coin) was struck for the cities during the holy war against India in A.H 397’.

After defeating Prithviraj in the Second Battle of Tarin, Muhammad Ghori minted coins which were almost identical to Prithviraj coins. The obverse of the coin has the image of the bull and reverse side of the coin has the image of Horsemen with the legend Muhammad Bin Sam instead of Prithvi deva.

This is Laxmi type gold coin issued by Muhammad Bin Sam of Ghorid dynasty weighs around 4.2g. On the side, the coin has an image of seated Laxmi. The reverse side of the coin is inscribed with the Devanagari legend ‘Muhammad Bin Sam’.