2019-03-22 Fri

One of the most powerful Iranian rulers in history, Nadir Shah was ruled as Shah of Iran from 1736 to 1747. He was a founder of Afsharid dynasty. In 1738 he invaded Kandahar, captured Kabul and marched on to India.

Today on this day in 1739, Nadir Shah occupies Delhi in India and sacks the city, stealing the jewels of the Peacock Throne. During this period the terror caused by Nadir in Delhi spread quickly to other parts of India. Coins were struck in his name from places far off from Delhi like Ahmadabad, Murshidabad, and Banaras.

The above shown silver Rupee is also one of the examples of coins which were issued during the campaign. The obverse of a coin depicted the Persian couplet ‘Hast Sultan bar Salateen Jahan/Shah Shahan Nadir Sahib Qiran’ (Is the Sultan among sultans of this World / Nadir, the King of kings, the Lord of Conjunctions). The reverse of a coin bore the legend ‘Khallada Allah Mulkahu Zarb Ahmadabad Sanah 1152’.

Image Source: Classical Numismatic Gallery