2018-06-22 Fri

The Bahmani Kingdom was a Muslim State in Deccan; it was the first independent Islamic kingdom of southern India. This kingdom was established by Ala-ud-din Bahman Shah after revolting against the Delhi Sultanate of Muhammad bin Tughluq.

Ala Al-Din Bahman Shah had ruled Bahamani Sultanate form 1347 CE to 1359 CE. Original name of Ala Al-Din Bahman Shah was Zafar Khan; he took the title Ala Al-Din Bahaman Shah after sitting on the throne.

Ala Al-Din Bahaman Shah issued coin in all three metals gold, silver and copper. In silver, he issued the denomination like Tanka, Two-Thrid Tanka, One-third-Tanka, One-Sixth Tanka and One-Twelfth Tanka.

Silver Tanka issued by him was minted in Hadrat Fathabad and Hadrat Ahsanabad, it weighs around 10.5-11g. The silver tanka issued by was struck with the legend ‘Al-Sultan Al-Azam Ala-Al Dunya wa’l Din Abul Muzaffar Bahman Shah Al-Sultan’ written on the obverse and ‘Sikandar Al-Thani Yamin Al-Khilafa Nasir Amir Al-Muminin’ written on the reverse.

Silver Two-Third Tanka issued by him was minted in Hadrat Ahsanabad and it weighs around 7.3g. It is inscribed on the obverse side of this is similar to the Silver tanka, but the reverse side of this is inscribed with the legend ‘Yamin Al-Khilafa Nasir Amir Al-muminin.

One-Third Tanka issued by him weighs around 3.6g. The obverse side of this coin is inscribed with the legend ‘Ala-Al-Dunya Wa’l Din Abul Muzaffar Bahman Shah Al-Sultan. The reverse of the coin is inscribed with the legend ‘Yamin Al-Khilafa Nasir Amir Al-Muminin.

One-Sixth Tanka issued by him has a legend Al-Sultan Al-Azam Ala Al-Dunya wa’l Din. The reverse of the coin is inscribed as ‘Abul Muzaffar Bahman Shah Al-Sultan.

Image Courtesy: Todywalla Auction.