2017-12-21 Thu

Shihabuddin Muhammad Shah Jahan Badshah Gazi was the fifth Mughal ruler. He ruled from 1628 to 1658 AD. The reign of Shah Jahan is considered by the historians as the most glorious period of the Mughal rule in India.

After his coronation as the Mughal Badshah, Shah Jahan immediately banned the Zodiac coins issued by Jahangir. The Zodiac coin carried figures of humans as well as animals which were considered by Shah Jahan as un-Islamic. He also announced death penalty for those found using these coins. All the Zodiac coins were brought from the market and melted. After this, Shah Jahan issued new coins in his name.

Shah Jahan began his rule by reintroducing the Kalima on his coinage and using the title ‘Sahib-e-Qiran Sani’ (the Second Lord of Fortunate Astronomic Conjunctions) based on an earlier title used by Timur on his coins.

This silver rupee shown beside was minted during the reign of Shah Jahan at Zafarnagr. The obverse of the coin is inscribed with Persian legend ‘Sahib Qiran Sani Shahabuddin Muhammad Shah Jahan Badshah Gazi’. The reverse of the coin is inscribed with Kalima on top ‘La Ilaha Illallahu Muhammadur Rasulullah’, Zarb Zafarnagar and Sanah 6.

Zafarnagar' was the name of a fortified town on the banks of the river Purna, close to the village of Tembhurni. It is now known as 'Zafrabad' and lies in Jalna district of Maharashtra. It was a town of great medieval importance and the coin was struck here during the first Deccan campaign undertaken during the reign of Shah Jahan against the Nizam Shahi sultanate of Ahmadnagar, resurgent under the leadership of Shahaji Bhonsle.