Shams Al-Din Iltutmish was the ruler of Delhi Sultanate; he was the third ruler of Mamluk dynasty of Delhi of Turkish origin. He ruled Delhi Sultanate after the death of Qutb-ud-din Aibak in the year 1210 CE and ruled Delhi Sultanate from 1211 CE till 1236 CE. First, he was a slave of Qutb-ud-Din Aibak, but later he married the daughter of his master Qutb-ud-Din Aibak and became his son in law. After sitting on the throne of Delhi Sultanate he strengthened and expanded the Muslim empire; and also brought entire northern India under his control, he moved his capital from Lahore to Delhi; where he built the Qutb M?n?r. He also managed to destroy the power of Rajputs.

This Silver tanka issued by him was minted in Hazrat Delhi and it weighs around 10.9g. The obverse of this coin is inscribed as ‘Al Sultan Al Azam Sham Al Dunya Wal Din Abul Muzaffar Iltutmish Al Sultan’. The reverse of this coin is inscribed as ‘Shahada and Name of Caliph- La Ilaha Illaa-Allahu Muhammad-Ur-Rasulullah, Al Muntasir Billah Ameer-Ul-Mominin, Verse from Qur'an, Mint Name Delhi above the square.

This silver tanka is listed for INR 24,000 in an auction of Classical Numismatic Gallery which will be held in Mumbai on 19th April 2019.

Image Courtesy: Classical Numismatic Gallery