2018-02-20 Tue

Gujarat Sultanate was a late medieval kingdom established in the early 15th Century. It was established by Zafar Khan (son of Sadharan, a Tanka Rajput) in the year 1396. He was appointed as a Governor of Gujarat by Nasir-ud-din Muhammad Bin Tughluq IV in the year 1391 CE.

The previous governor of Gujarat, Farhat Al-Mulk had been ignoring all the orders from Delhi and oppressing the population of Gujarat. Hence, when Zafar Khan became the governor of Gujarat, he defeated the rival of Farhat Al-Mulk and brought provinces under control. Later, the conflict between two rival kings of Delhi, Mahmud bin Muhammad and Nasrat Shah pave the opportunity to declare himself independent.

In the year 1403, Zafar Khan was joined by his son Tahar Khan. When Tahar Khan urged his father to intervene in the affair of Delhi, he declined yet provided his son with an army. This power encouraged Tahar Khan to go against his father. Tahar imprisoned Zafar Khan and declared himself as king under the title Nasir-al-din-Muhammad Shah. Nasir al Din Muhammad Shah appointed his uncle Shams Khan as regent under the title Nasrat Khan and escaped to Delhi. Zafar khan managed to poison Nasrat Khan and sat on the throne under the title Shams-ud-din Muzaffar Shah and issued coins.

This Silver tanka was issued by Sham Al-Din Muzaffar Shah I. The obverse of the coin is inscribed as ‘Shams al dunya Wa'l Din Muzaffar Shah al Sultan’. The reverse of the coin is inscribed as ‘Naib Amir al Mominin Khulidat Khilafatahu, date.

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