2018-06-26 Tue

Ala-Al-Din Ahmad Shah ruled Bahamani kingdom from 1435 CE till 1457 CE. The real name of Ala-Al Din Ahmad Shah was Zafar, he took the title Aka-Al-Din Ahmad Shah at the time of accession. He was the son of Shihab Al-Din Ahmad Shah I. The Kingdom was founded by Ala Al-Din Hassan Bahman Shah who revolted successfully against the sultan of Delhi, Muhammad Bin Tughluq. The capital of Bahmani Kingdom was Gulbarga from 1347 to 1425; it was moved to Bidar in 1425 AD.

Ala Al-Din Ahmad Shah had issued coins in gold, silver, and copper. Copper coins issued by him are very common. Gold and silver coins issued by him have a different legend.

This gold tanka issued by Ala-Al Din Ahmad Shah from the mint Hadrat Muhammadabad weighs around 11.6g. The obverse of this coin is inscribed as ‘Al Sultan Al Qavi Al-Islam Jami Al-Fazl Wa’l Adl Wa Al Ihsan’. The reverse of the coin is inscribed as ‘Abul Muzaffar Ala Al Dunya Wal Din Ahmad Shah Bin Ahmad Shah Al-Sultan, date and mint name in the margin’.

This gold tanka was sold for INR 45,000 at Classical Numismatic Gallery Auction.

Image Courtesy: Classical Numismatic Gallery