2019-05-14 Tue

Muslim conquests in India began with the invasion of Muhammad bin Qasim. However, the effects were not fully felt till Muhammad bin Sam invaded the north-western region of India. Muhammad bin Sam, popularly known as Muhammad of Ghor, appointed Qutbuddin Aibak as the governor of his territories in India. Aibak and his successors conquered Delhi and most of the North Indian Territory surrounding it and established the Delhi Sultanate.

Ala Al-Din Masud Shah was the seventh Sultan to rule the Mamluk dynasty of Delhi Sultanate from 1242 to 1246 AD. He is known for issuing gold, silver, and Billon coins during his reign. Gold and silver Tanka were issued from Lakhnauti and Delhi mints.

His Billon coins were issued in the denomination of Jital from Badayun and Delhi mint as well as at another mint in northern India, possibly Uch. These jital coins were struck in Text And Horseman Type and Bull And Horseman Type. Some of the Bull and Horseman coins have a date in the Samvat era on them.

The gold and silver Tankas of Delhi initially quote the Caliph Al-Mustansir and later, the Caliph Al-Mustasim. The above shown 10.91 g. silver Tanka of Hadrat Delhi mint belongs to his reign. The obverse of a coin has legend ‘Al Sultan Al Azam Ala Al Dunya Wa'L Din Abu'L Muzaffar Masud Shah Ibn Al Sultan’. The reverse of a coin has the standard Fi Ahd legend which read as ‘Fi Ahd Al Imam Al Muntasir Amir-ul-Mominin’.

Image Source: Todywalla Auctions