The origins of the Hindu Shahis of Kabul is disputed — various sources have suggested Turkic, Tibetan, and Hindu Kshatriya roots. Their predecessors include such groups as Bactrian Greeks, Indo Scythians, Indo Parthians, Kushans, Kidarites, and Hepthalites. Their coinage used many motifs, including a bull and a horseman, but no coin used both a bull and horseman. The artistry of the coinage of their predecessors had been declining for some time; the cruder and more abstract designs on the coins Deven showed us demonstrated the continued decline. Here is the first coin we saw; the bull at rest faces to the left, while the horse and rider face to the right. The rider is wearing a mask — could it be a battle mask?
The Shahi Dynasty Controlled Both Sides Of The Fabled Khyber Pass In Afghanistan And Northern India And Their Lands Included The Province Of Old Gandhara And The Kabul Valley.
The Buddhist Shahis Of Kabul (Kabul-Shahan) Shifted To Hinduism In the 9th Century AD. Islamic Invasions And The Rise Of The Ghaznavid Empire Led To The Decline And Fall Of The Shahi Kingdom.The Nezak Huns took over power in the Kabul region from the Alchon Huns in the 6th century AD. - Early 7th century they were displaced by the Turk Shahi, of which Sahi Tigin is the best known. - The last of the Turk Shahi was Lagaturman. According to Arab historian Albiruni Tigin was over-thrown from the throne by his Brahmin minister Kallar. Kallar was supposedly the founding father of the Hindu Kabul Shahi dynasty, around the beginning of the 9th century. - At the end of the 9th century the Hindu shahi lost Kabul to the Muslim invaders and had to move their power base east, where they stayed in power for another century.
| A | Ananga | 1130-1145 A.D. | Delhi | Deyell 187 Tye 44 | Intermediate diameter |
| B | Madana Pala | 1145-1167 A.D. | Delhi | Deyell 201 Tye 45 | |
| C | Prithvi III | 1191-1192 A.D. | Delhi | Deyell 225 Tye 52 | |
| D | Mohamed bin Sam Ghori | 1193-1206 A.D. | Delhi | Deyell 260 Tye 185 | |
| E | Mohamed bin Sam Ghori | 1193-1206 A.D. | Budaon | Deyell 254 Tye 187 | dies much larger than flan |
| F | Yildiz | 1206-1215 A.D. | Kurraman | Deyell 264 Tye 200 | bull only |
| G | Yildiz | 1212-1214 A.D. | Lahore | Deyell 265 Tye 201 | horseman only |
| H | Jalal Mangubarni | 1220-1224 A.D. | Nandana? | Deyell 349 Tye 318 | |
| I | Iltutmish | 1210-1235 A.D. | Delhi | Deyell 311 Tye 386 | |
| J | Mahi Pala | after 1266 A.D. ? | ? | Deyell 232 Tye 39 | flan half die diameter |
- Catalogue and Account of the Coin Denomination of Daily Use in Medieval Afghanistan and North West India, by Robert Tye and Monica Tye, 188 pages, Publisher: Robert Tye (August 1995).
- Living Without Silver, by John Deyell, 369 pages, Publisher: OUP India (April 1999).
Bull and horseman jitals coins are from Afghanistan, Pakistan and northern India. The Shahi kings from Kabul and Gandhara are credited with a long series of coins to support what must have been flourishing trade from the 8th to 13th centuries A.D.
The type was issued by many authorities over at least five centuries but many, including most of the early ones, lack the names of issuers in a format that we can comprehend today. Above the bull, the earliest ones have Nagari legends reading Sri Spalapati Deva or Honorable Chief Commander. Right of the horse is a legend in cursive Bactrian.
Spalapati Deva
Later Spalapati coins eliminated the cursive legend to the right of the horse and reduced the flowing banner to the left of the horseman to allow room for a single letter. While several letters are known in this position
These later Spalapati issues are not as roundly modeled as the first pair shown but still not as completely line drawings as would come later. They are also a hundred times more easily found than the early ones. Well struck specimens with clear legends remain elusive but coins equal to these are common.
References suggest that the main mint of this period may have been Kabul.
Turk Shahis (2nd Nezak Huns Dynasty), "Spalapati Deva" (="Military Commander"). AR Drachm, c. AD 750-850. Kabul mint. Obverse: Legend in Sarada script, Sri Spalapati Deva. Bull recumbent left, wearing saddlecloth, trisul symbol on rump. Reverse: Brahmi legend, Shahi Deva (?). Horseman right, holding spear, Saruda Gu at left; unidentified symbol between horse's legs. Weight: 3.49gm. Diameter : 19mm.
Comments: "Spalapati Deva" (="Military Commander") seems to be a title rather than the name of a specific ruler. These coins represent the last issues of the Turk Shahis of Kabul which began with the Nezak Malka/ Srio Shaho "trident crown" coins of Barhategin in the early 8th century. The Arab historian Alberuni tells us of the last Turkic king, Lagaturman, who was overthrown by his Brahman advisor Kellar. This usurper Kellar founded a dynasty of seven subsequent Hindu rulers. The first of these rulers is called "Samanta" (="Feudatory Chief") which is the title found on another, slightly later, group of bull and horseman drachms. Thus, Deyell gives the Spalapati coins to the Turk Shahis centered at Kabul and the Samanta coins to the subsequent Hindu Shahis ruling from Ohind in Pakistan."
Samanta Deva
The most common of the Shahi bull and horseman coins are those with the Sarada legend Sri Samanta Deva above the bull. This is also a title rather than a name and could be taken as the same "Honorable Chief Commander" as listed for Spalapati Deva. References suggest that these were made farther east, perhaps at Ohind, after the Shahi influence farther west had been forced out by Muslim conquest. The dates are given as 850-1000 A.D. which overlaps the Spalapati dates but individual coins are not dated within either of those ranges. Ohind was located on the Indus river in the region known as Gandhara (now in northwest Pakistan). Sarada characters Bhi is left of the horseman with another symbol to the right. The most common of these ("Ma"?) is shown on the top left and center coins while "Ta" is shown on the lower left. The top right coin shows a bit of a variation on the character left of the horseman but I believe this is just a 'handwriting' variation of the normal Bhi. The bottom center coin matches the normal Tye 14 coins but is either plated (fourree) or a poorly mixed allow with large areas of copper showing.
Khudarayaka
Other than the above major groups, there are a few less common legend varieties from the early period with spread flans and better silver. Our example is in the name (above bull) of Khudarayaka who ruled c. 870 A.D. These are not really rare but seen much less frequently than the common Spalapati and Samanta coins. There are a few minor variations with different characters right of the horseman or between the horse's front legs. Khudarayaka is an epithet used by the governor of Kabul under Yaqub ibn Layith of Seistan.
Bronzes
Silver jitals of the early period were sometimes accompanied by bronzes of similar size but bearing the images of an elephant and lion. While considerably less common than the silver, the most common bronzes are in the name of Samanta Deva. Coins are usually seen crudely struck which explains why I am showing two examples of the same type, each with different strengths. Again, as I find examples of other types, they will be added to this space but the number of Shahi bronzes available on the market even in the condition of those shown here is not high. There is almost no demand for them in the market so it is hard to know whether they are actually rare compared to the silver or just ignored by the trade.
Late Bull and Horseman types:
Following the Islamic conquest of the Hindu Shahi lands one might expect the end of the bull and horseman coins but that was not the case. The coins were well established in the region as the definition of good money so Muslim rulers continued the issue of bull and horseman varieties for a few more centuries (at least to 1300 A.D.) Our group of ten examples is not by any means a complete set. Most amazing to me is that the weight standard remained rather constant with most coins weighing 3-3.5g. Diameter, however, was reduced mostly resulting in rather thick 14 to 16mm coins. Over time, silver quality fell from the early level around 69% to 18% and finally to a billon with so little silver that the coins appear to be copper. These later rulers were less shy about placing their names on the coins so, unless the language is a barrier, it is possible to attribute at least those coins well enough centered to bear significant parts of the legends. Unfortunately good centering is not a common characteristic of these coins. Flans range from slightly smaller than the dies to less than half the size of the dies. It is next to impossible to find a single coin with all of the detail. My examples are not random selections but were picked for their readable legends. Most of these were struck by the Delhi Rajahs but a few were produced at branch mints. Some late issues (examples F & G above) replaced either the bull or the horseman with Arabic legends. The final step was taken when coins were made in the standard Islamic fashion with legends on both sides and no bull or horseman. These, however, do not fit the theme of this page. As a group, late jitals are common and low priced but it is not always possible to find identified or high quality examples without some looking. The series is ignored by most coin dealers.
It is thought that when Khwarezmshah Mangubarni travelled West in 1224AD he left two of his generals in charge of the region.
The area West of the Indus (with Kurraman and Peshawar) was controlled by governor Wafa Malik. He would later extend his territory and become an independent ruler better known as Saif-al-din al-Hasan Qarlugh.
The governor of the area east of the Indus, including Nandana, is known from his scarce coinage as "Sharaf Beg" or "Khalif Beg". I would read it as "ShaLiPha BaGa". Recent literature suggests that this "Sharaf Beg" could have been Özbeg Bei bin Muhammad Jahan Pahlawan. This Ozbeg Bei was a ruler from Azerbaijan, with Tabriz as capital (now in Iran). The Azerbaijan area was overrun by both the Kwarezmshah forces of Mangubarni and the Mongol army. In the process he became a vassal of Mangubarni and was forced to leave the Tabriz area. Around 1229AD this governor lost control of Nandana and followed Mangubarni westward.
The Jitals issued under Sharaf Beg seem not to have been studied in detail. If one can read the legend they are not that difficult to recognize. A potential pittfall in attributing these coins is the "La" character in front of the head of the bull. Many people select specimen based on the presence of the head of the bull and horse on flan. The easily recognizable "La" may lead people to believe that they have a Jitall issued under Mangubarni. However, the same character is present at this location in the Nandana type jitals of Mangubarni, Sharaf Beg, and Iltutmish. So one has to look at different part of the legend for a reliable attribution ! The first coin supports the assumption that the horseman side has the familiar "Sri Hamirah" as legend.
Apart from the legend, there are also small differences in the design. For example the continuous line that ascends from the trunk of the horseman to the front of his head. In the Mangubarni Jitals these are clearly two separate lines.
After 1224AD, Delhi ruler Iltutmish expanded his power westwards. Around 1229AD Delhi forces fell upon Özbeg Bei and overtook Nandana. It is likely that the typical Nandana style Jitals in the name of Iltutmish were struck between this date and the death of Iltutmish in 1236AD.
Again this type is rare, although the Goron &Goenka catalog describe them as merely scarce.
After the death of Iltutmish, Quarlughid leader Saif-ud-din Hasan took his chances to expand his power in the region.
The Nandana style bull and horseman jitals issued under this ruler are stylistically the least refined of the series. Also these are usually found in billon with a likely very low silver content.
Both Tye#346, G&G SS13, legend "Sri HaSaNa KuRaLaKa"
Above is a specimen of a coin which may look like a common Dehli Raja bull and horseman Jital. It is however, quite rare, and not so well explained. It is a coin in the name of Pipala Deva. This is a bit obscure ruler whom Tye and Dyell place as a Chauhan(Chahamana) ruler of Dehli around 1168 AD.
Dehli was initially ruled by the Tomara dynasty. The Tomaras of Dehli had been producing the well-known bull and horseman jitals. Around 1154AD the Tomaras of Dehli were defeated and forced into a feudatory status by the Chauhans of Ajmer under the rule of Vigraharaja IV, also known as Visaladeva/Bisaladeva.
This Bull and Horseman Jital coin type was now also adopted by the Chahamana. But this type is not known in the name of Vigraha Raja.
Pipala Deva is a bit of a problematic figure. Though we know his coins, his name is absent in most genealogical lists of Delhi rulers. A “Bildev” is named in a manuscript by Abu ‘l-Fazl. Dyell transcribes this as “Pipaladev”. However, if we read the Persian as “بیسلدو “ it might as well be read as “Bisaldev”.
As the style of the Pipala Deva coins closely matches the style of the other early Chauhan rulers (Prithvii Raja II and Somesvara), this raises the question: could Pipala be “Visala Deva”?
Only a frament of the legend on the horseman side is visible. But this fits with the "Sri Pi | PaLa RaJa DeVa" as known from other specimen. However, might the Sharada legend on the horseman’s side be read alternatively ?
The first “Pa” resembles the “Va” as it is commonly written in “Samanta DeVa”. Also the “Ba” of the alternative spelling of “BiSaLa” may be difficult to distinguish from Sharada “Pa” or “Va”. Lastly, there is also a variant of “Sa” in Sharada that resembles “Pa”. Problem though, is that ”विषल“ would translate as “poison” (while “विशाल” means Giant).
The rest of the inscription then again brings doubts. The bull’s side inscription is given by Dyell and Tye as: “Kuntasani / Sri Samanta Deva”. The "Ku" is clearly visible in front of the bull. Dyell translates "Kuntasani" as "spearthrower" but i could not confirm this. In Sanskrit “Kunta”= “Spear”, but “SaNi” = “gift” or “gaining/procuring”.
The term “Spear-gaining” seems cryptic, but presents an interesting association. As stated, Vigraha Raja Deva IV defeated the Tomaras. In Sanskrit there are different words for spear, "Kunta" is one. Now would it be mere co-incidence that "Tomara" in Sanskrit also is a spear
(AR 15 mm, 3.27 gr, Tye#47)
This type was issued by the Shahis from about 750-900 AD. Originally at a 4.3 gram Persian weight standard, these silver pieces, at about 69% fine, soon dropped to an old Indian weight standard of 3.3 grams. The translation of the legend in local script, Spalapati Deva, is generally accepted to indicate a military commander (Deva is usually translated to lord). Although originally based in Kapisa (modern Bagram), the capital was moved to Kabul in 794
The most common type of Shahi coin is the Samanta Deva issued from 850-1000 AD. Samanta is the title appearing on the coin. The coin weighs 3.2 grams and is 69% silver. By 880, the Saffarids from the west had driven the Shahis from Kabul.
This Khudrayaka (which is also some title) was issued after the Muslim conquest of Kabul, and is attributed to the installed governor. It weighs about 2.9 grams, is about 69% silver, and retains the prior basic design. As the Shahis were pushed to the east, and their stuation became more dire, the coin designs became more abstract.
This Bhima Deva from about 950 AD is possibly the only Shahi coin to name a king. Weighing 3.2 grams and at 69% silver, it is the rarest of the Shahi silver coins. As their military fortunes declined, the silver content dropped to 25%. The Shahis also issued bronze and copper coins from 800-1000 AD, but these used lion and elephant motifs as had earlier coins in the region. The shown examples had cruder motifs than the shown silver coins. The Ghaznavids drove the Shahis east of the Indus River, and by 1026 the Shahis were extinguished.
In this area, these were turbulent centuries with dynasties forming, expanding, and then falling to other dynasties. At the same time, Islam was spreading from west. The few and similar designs of the Shahis would give way to a wide assortment of designs that held a few traces of the old motifs. The Ghaznavids used a 69% silver dirham weighing 2.9 grams from 997-1030; it included the profession of faith and had no images. But the following Ghaznavid rulers resturned to a jital — a 3.2 gram coin of about 18% silver, a very crude bull on one side, and the profession of faith on the other. As the dynasty collapsed, the silver content almost disappeared.
The Hindu Kingdoms to the east adopted the bull and horseman motifs on a coin of about 3.3 grams, but the silver was very debased and the motifs were very abstract. The Rajas of Delhi started issuing these coins about 1120, with a silver content of 18% or lower. By the time of the Islamic Delhi Sultanates, the silver content had dropped to 5% and lower.
Multiple dynasties were rising and falling simultaneously in the area; it was not a clean linear progression from one to another. Deven used tables from the Tye book to show how the coin designs from the mints at Lahore and Delhi differed and were similar other; one mint could issue coins of multiple styles simultaneously. In one thread, we saw coins combining an abstract bull will Islamic inscriptions. In another thread, an abstract rider was combined with Islamic inscriptions. And sometimes the coins had only Islamic inscriptions.
The jital spread west to the Khwarazm Dynasty (Persia), and one ruler issued many types during a 20-year span. Then the Khwarazm annoyed Genghis Khan. Deven told us of a saying attributed to Genghis Khan after he had conquered a Persian town and before he destroyed it, “I am the flail of god. Had you not created great sins, god would not have sent a punishment like me upon you.” And so even the Mongols issued some jitals.
Prithvi Raj Chauhan (1149–1192 AD), Billon Jital, Bull-Horseman type
Obverse: Horseman right, with Devanagari legend (Sri) Prithviraja Deva around
Reverse: Bull seated left, with Devanagari legend Asavari Sri Samanta Deva around .
Prithviraj Chauhan is the legendary king of Delhi and Ajmer who decisively defeated Muhammad Ghori (bin Sam) in 1191, only to be defeated and killed by the Muslim invader the following year.
Chahada Deva of Delhi, (1172 - 1191 AD ) Chauhan dynasty ,Billon drachm -3.40 Grams
Chahatadeva – Different writers give different periods regarding Chahatadeva. A.Cunningham says his period was 1234-1255. In the account of A.S.Smith he is said to have ruled Narwar from 1232 to 1260. Nothing much is known now in literature about him. A.S Smith says that he was defeated by Delhi ruler Balban (1266-1287) in AD.1251, when Nasir ud din Mahmud was the ruler and Balban his PrimeMinister. Chahatadeva coins of two varieties, both with horseman obverse .
Obv: seated bull to left ,above portions of nagari legend "Mahi pala".
Rev: Horserider .
Due to using a big die on small planchat only a small proportion of of the disign appears on the flan ,sometimes the inscription is rendered so large in proportion to the space available that only two letters are visible ..
Shanshabãnî or Ghorid Dynasty (1149-1206)
By the beginning of the 12th century the Shanshabãnî had extended their authority over the other Ghorid chiefs and their power rivaled that of the Ghaznavids on their southern border and the Seljuks on their northern border. Honoring this strength, Malik al-Jibal (meaning "King of the Mountain") laid out the foundations of a great capital city called Firozkoh, which some believe to have been at Jam where a magnificent minaret now stands. Malik Qutubuddin was unable, however, to finish his city for he had a falling out with his brothers (he had seven) and was forced to leave for Ghazni where he was well received and well respected until Sultan Bahram Shah (1118-1152), jealous of his increasing popularity, served him with a glass of poisoned sherbet (1146). His murder led to a relentless enmity between Ghor and Ghazni.
One by one, the brothers left their mountain capital with their armies: the first brother captured Ghazni and afterwards sent his army back to Ghor whereupon the Sultan returned to torture him to death; the second brother died on his way to revenge the new death (1149); the third, Alauddin, defeated the Sultan Bahram Shah in the vicinity of modern Kandahar (1151). The Sultan fell back in retreat upon Ghazni which "Alauddin took by storm, and during seven nights and days fired the place, and burnt it with obstinacy and wantonness. . . During these seven days, the air, from the blackness of the smoke, continued as black as night; and those nights, from the flames raging in the burning city, were lighted up as light as day. During these seven days likewise, rapine, plunder and massacre were carried out with the utmost pertinacity and vindictiveness." (Juzjani). Thus, Alauddin earned the title of Jahãnsûz or "World Burner". Ghazni was, however, occupied by the Seljûks soon after and, later on, by the Guzz Turks. It was only in 1175 that the Ghorids succeeded in reoccupying it.
Ghiyãs-ud-Dîn Muhammad bin Sãm, who succeeded his uncle Alãudd-Dîn Jahãnsûz at Firuz Koh, appointed his younger brother, Shihãb-ud-Dîn Muhammad bin Sãm, as the governor of Ghazni. Shihãb-ud-Dîn (1175-1206) occupied Sindh and Multan, ousted the last Ghaznivid ruler from Lahore, defeated the Chauhãns of Ajmer and the Gahadvalas of Kanauj, and extended his conquests upto the borders of Bengal. His conquests were consolidated mainly by his able general, Qutb-ud-Dîn Aibak. Another general of his, Ikhtiyãr-ud-Dîn Bakhtiyãr Khaljî, ousted the forces of Bengal from Lakhnauti and led an unsuccessful expedition into Assam and Bhutan.
Meanwhile, Shihãb-ud-Dîn had become the king of Ghor on the death of his brother in 1203 and styled himself as Muizz-ud-Dîn Muhammad bin Sãm. He is popularly known as Muhammad Ghori, and regarded as the founder of Muslim rule in India. He was murdered in 1206. There being no children, the empire was divided. Mahmud, son of Ghiyãs-ud-Dîn Muhammad bin Sãm, succeeded in Ghor. The east passed to various generals who had conducted Mu’iz Muhammad’s campaigns. These generals were purchased slaves, hence the terms “Slave kings" or "Slave dynasty". Ghazna and its environs was ruled by slave general Taj Al-Din Yildiz. Sind was administered by Nasir Al-Din Qubacha, while Delhi went to Qutb Al-Din Aybak. Mahmud, meanwhile, was deposed in 1212 by the Khwarezmshah, ‘Ala Al-Din Muhammad.
Mahmud's coins are scarcer than those of his uncle, and most are rare. On the coins of the type shown below (of Lahore fabric), the Nagari letters follow the models of Sindhi or Punjabi alphabets in the reversal of the lower limb of the "Ha" and the open top of the "Ma".
Obverse Al Sultan Al Azim Mahmud bin Muhammad bin Sam (The Sultan, the Magnificent, Mahmud son of Mumammad bin Sam)
Bull and horseman coins of Northwest India constitute a fascinating part of Indian numismatics. These coins are found in profusion and are generally labeled as “bull and horseman coins”. But a closer look into them will bring lots of interesting revelations. These coins were prevalent in a very vast area for a very long period. More than thirty rulers have issued coins with bull and horseman or either one from them in the same pattern. The period of issue of such coins can be seen issued from tenth century to the seventeenth. This variety had been issued over Ohind, Sind, Delhi, Ghazni and Kangra regions now falling in three countries, India, Pakistan and Afghanistan. Some rulers issued them with both bull and horseman. Some issued retaining bull and replacing horseman with legends and yet some others retained horseman and replaced bull with legends. Many of them issued different varieties among these three.
It is a striking feature of these coins that both bull and horseman are beautifully stylized. Legends can be seen surrounding them in many of them. Bull is always recumbent facing left. Horseman is always holding a spear/flag and horse faces to right invariably. In Kangra issues, the horseman is very crude but the basic pattern is retained. Altogether, this variety of coins is intimidating to numismatics enthusiasts.
Here I wish to post some different Bull/horseman coins and variants, of a few rulers belonging to Ohind, Sind, Ghazni, Delhi and Kangra. Alexander Cunningham in his work “Coins of Medieval India” and A.S.Smith in “The Coins in Indian Museum at Calcutta” have given somewhat clear description of Kangra coins. So their views are generally followed in Kangra coin details and datings. I am unable to conclusively date a few of them though. This is not an exhaustive list of such issues or rulers either. There are several more like Prithviraj, Sallakshanapala, Spalapatideva etc who have similar issues.
Typographically, they can be arranged into three varieties.
1. Bull and Horseman coins
2. Horseman replaced by legend
3. Bull replaced by legend
Bull and horseman coins can be subdivided into those with Bull side obverse and those with Horseman side obverse.
Many rulers have issued coins falling into different varieties. Jalal ud din Mingburnu, Qubacha, Sultanan Razia are a few among them.
Chronologically, they spread over more than eight centuries form middle of eighth century to first quarter of seventeenth century. Spalapati coins and Samanta deva coins are considered to have originated between AD. 750 and 900.
These coins show wide variation in the stylization of both the sides but there is consistency between coins of the same region to a very good extent save for a few crude ones from Delhi. Kangra coins look monotonous on the horseman reverse, but the obverse gives the name of the ruler very clearly.
Average weight of these coins also remains around 2.8-3.8gms. But why there are many rulers who retained the legend “Samanta deva” is obscure. And some varieties have been wrongly attributed, like Chahata deva to Muhammad bin Sam.
Bull and Horseman coins-with Bull side obverse
Muhammad bin Sam-1193-1206
Mu'izz ad-Din Muhammad was born in 1149 in the Ghor region of what is now present day Afghanistan. He reigned over a territory spanning over parts of modern-day Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Iran, India, Pakistan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan. He ruled along with his brother Ghiyath ad-Din Muhammad from 1173 to 1202, and as the supreme ruler of the Ghurid Empire from 1202 to 1206. In 1186, Mu'izz, along with Ghiyath, ended the Ghaznavid dynasty after having captured Lahore and executed the Ghaznavid ruler Khusrau-Malik. In 1206, Mu'izz left all the affairs in India in hands of his slave Qutb ud-Din Aibak.On his return, he was assassinated on 15th March 1206.
Iltutmash-1210-35
Qutb-ud-din Aibak died in 1206 in a Polo accident in his capital Lahore. Aram Shah acceded to the throne in Lahore in 1211 assisted by some nobles. When Iltutmish claimed the throne in Delhi, Aram Shah marched towards Delhi but was slain in battle at Bagh-i-Jud. In 1215-1216, Yildiz moved towards Punjab and captured Lahore from Qubacha and laid claim to the throne of Delhi. ltutmish defeated Yildiz at Tarain.
By 1220, Jalal ud din Mingburnu fled to the Punjab and captured Lahore and much of the Punjab. Iltutmash marched towards Lahore. Mingburnu retreated from Lahore and moved towards Sind and inflicted heavy defeat on Qabacha. He plundered Sindh and northern Gujarat and returned to Persia in 1224.
Iltutmash captured Sind and Multan defeating Qubacha who committed suicide drowning in Indus river after his defeat. He ruled as a persistent invader of surrounding kingdoms until his death in 1235.
Nasir ud din Qubacha-1206-28
Qubacha was a slave under Muhammad bin Sam just as Iltutmash and Taj ud din Yildiz were. After the death of his master, he came to rule Sind. But when Iltutmash came to rule in Delhi, the picture took a different turn. Qubacha was in conflict with Yildiz and Iltutmash. In 1924, Jalal ud din Mingburnu inflicted a devastating defeat to Qubacha. Iltutmash used this opportunity to invade Sind in 1228. Qubacha tried to flee but failed. He either committed suicide or accidentally drowed in the Indus river.
When Ghaznavi rule fell to Muhammad bin Sam from Ghur, Sindh also went under their power. Then came the Sindh Sultans.
History of Sind sultans
1. Nasir ud din Qubacha (1206-1228.AD)
Nasir ud din Qubacha who was made Governor of a province to north of Sindh by Muhammad bin Sam after his conquest of the Ghaznavid ruler. When Muhammad died, Qubacha became the master. After death of Qutb ud din Aibak, he threw off allegiance to Delhi and invaded South-wards to annex Sindh. Subsequently he lost Lahore to Iltutmish. By around 1220.AD, Jalal ud din Mangubarni carved out a kingdom. He attacked Qubacha and later, fled to Persia in 1224. Four years later, Iltutmish attacked Qubacha who fled for life, but drowned in the river Indus near Bhakkar.
2. Jalal ud din Mingburnu /Mangubarni (1220-1224.AD)
Jalal ud din who fled from Kwarezm when his father lost the empire came to settle in Lahore. He then moved to the south and formed a kingdom of his own. With help from local tribes, he attacked Qubacha and obtained a large booty that he took along when he fled to Persia.
3. Khalif Beg (1224.AD)
Khalif who is believed to be an officer with Mingburnu tried to hold on but in vain.
4. Saif ud din Hasan Qurlugh (1239-1249.AD)
He was an officer under Jalal ud din Mingburnu. He remained in Ghazna when his master fled to the west. He waited until a chance befell him in the form of political turmoil when Sultana Razia was in power in Delhi. He secured Sindh for his territory and ruled until 1249. He ambitious to capture Multan and died in his attempt to do so in 1249.
5. Nasir ud din Muhammad Qurlugh (1249-1259.AD)
He succeeded his father and held Sind until 1259. After this period, Jams (Summas), local tribes and Delhi rulers held Sindh whenever they had a military upper hand. Jams at times were tributaries to Delhi and sometimes independent. Until at last, Akbar the Great annexed Sindh to his empire.
History of Sind sultans
1. Nasir ud din Qubacha (1206-1228.AD)
Nasir ud din Qubacha who was made Governor of a province to north of Sindh by Muhammad bin Sam after his conquest of the Ghaznavid ruler. When Muhammad died, Qubacha became the master. After death of Qutb ud din Aibak, he threw off allegiance to Delhi and invaded South-wards to annex Sindh. Subsequently he lost Lahore to Iltutmish. By around 1220.AD, Jalal ud din Mangubarni carved out a kingdom. He attacked Qubacha and later, fled to Persia in 1224. Four years later, Iltutmish attacked Qubacha who fled for life, but drowned in the river Indus near Bhakkar.
2. Jalal ud din Mingburnu /Mangubarni (1220-1224.AD)
Jalal ud din who fled from Kwarezm when his father lost the empire came to settle in Lahore. He then moved to the south and formed a kingdom of his own. With help from local tribes, he attacked Qubacha and obtained a large booty that he took along when he fled to Persia.
3. Khalif Beg (1224.AD)
Khalif who is believed to be an officer with Mingburnu tried to hold on but in vain.
4. Saif ud din Hasan Qurlugh (1239-1249.AD)
He was an officer under Jalal ud din Mingburnu. He remained in Ghazna when his master fled to the west. He waited until a chance befell him in the form of political turmoil when Sultana Razia was in power in Delhi. He secured Sindh for his territory and ruled until 1249. He ambitious to capture Multan and died in his attempt to do so in 1249.
5. Nasir ud din Muhammad Qurlugh (1249-1259.AD)
He succeeded his father and held Sind until 1259. After this period, Jams (Summas), local tribes and Delhi rulers held Sindh whenever they had a military upper hand. Jams at times were tributaries to Delhi and sometimes independent. Until at last, Akbar the Great annexed Sindh to his empire.
Mingburnu-1220-24
He was the last ruler of the Khwarezmian empire. His empire was a vast area now belonging to Iran, Uzbekistan, partly to Kazakhstan and partly to Turkmenistan. Jalal ud din fled to India with Chengiz Khan following him at his heels in AD.1220. He was denied refuge at Delhi by Iltutmash. He captured Lahore and some land around. When Iltutmash marched to Lahore in 1224, Mingburnu left and attacked Sind, defeating Nazir ud din Qubacha and then retreated to Persia.
Saif ud din Hasan Qurlugh-1239-46
He was ruler of Sind for about a decade. He was was reigning in Ghazna and moved to Sind in about 1239. Nothing much is known about him. He had issued bull-horseman and legend-horseman type coins.
Muiz ud din Bahram-1240-42
He was Delhi Sultan and brother to Sultana Razia(1236-1240). A plot was raised against Razia during her reign. She was captured and imprisoned by Altunia the Governor of Bhatinda. She and Altunia got married later and planned to return to Delhi. But Muiz ud din had plans to the throne of Delhi. He defeated Altunia and Razia and put them to death in 1240. But he became unpopular and was murdered by his own army in 1242.
Ala ud din Masud (1242-1246)
Ala ud din Masud was chosen to rule Delhi after Muiz ud din Bahram was killed in AD.1242. He was son of Rukn ud din Firoz (AD.1235-36) who was brother of Sultana Razia. He was lost to luxurious living that ended up in his replacement in AD.1246 with Nazir ud din Mahmud.
Samant deva
Coins bearing the legend “Samant deva” are the biggest puzzle in Indian coins. Lots of coins bearing this legend on one side and the name of another ruler on the other are often come across. So this must have been a title used by them. But there are a few with “Samant deva” on the bull side with no legend that can be read on the other also.
Anangapala (crowned 1051)
He belonged to the Tomaras who ruled Delhi prior to Muslim rule. There were several Anangapals. This seems to be of the second of them.
Mahipala-AD.1103-1128
He was a Tomara ruler of Delhi. The City of Delhi was founded by Tomars in the first half of eighth century. They were subordinates to Kanauj in the beginning and later became independent. Chauhans took over the land from them in twelfth century. In 1043, Mahipal captured Thaneswar, Nagarkot and Hansi. He is said to have contributed a lot to development of Delhi. There is an area called “Mahipalpur” near the Indira Gandhi International airport in Delhi.
Madanapala deva-1145-67
He ruled Delhi between 1145 and 1167. (A.S Smith places him slightly before at about 1080-1115). His father Chandradeva is said to have acquired suzerainty over Kanauj.
Someswara deva-1169-79
He belongs to the Chauhan rulers of Delhi. A.S.Smith also places his period to approximately 1170-75. His son Prithviraj is famous in history for his gallantry.
Chahatadeva –AD.1234-1255.
Different writers give different periods regarding Chahatadeva. A.Cunningham says his period was 1234-1255. In the account of A.S.Smith he is said to have ruled Narwar from 1232 to 1260. Nothing much is known now in literature about him.
A.S Smith says that he was defeated by Delhi ruler Balban (1266-1287) in AD.1251, when Nasir ud din Mahmud was the ruler and Balban his PrimeMinister.
Chahatadeva coins of two varieties, both with horseman obverse are given below.
Another coin of Saif ud din Hasan Qurlugh with a little more details visible.
Another type-III coin of Iltutmish
This is a type-3 coin that belongs to the category coins of Narwar (along with "Chahatadeva" coins). This is an issue of "Malaya varman" who ruled around 1230-1234.AD.Alexander Cunningham explains this coin where Rajputs of Mewar are discussed.Chahatadeva was the ruler who followed Malayavarman according to him.
This coin bears the name of the ruler "Sri Malayavarma" in Nagari script and the date on the obverse. On the reverse, there is an extremely stylised horseman.
Another Razia coin of third variety. The previously posted coin DS#15-a has "al muazam" legend with refined strike. This coin has "as sultan al azam" legend struck crudely.
One more type 1 coin from the Sind.This is an issue of Khalif Beg (AD.1224 :AH.621)who is believed to have been an officer of Jalal ud din Mingburnu.He ruled the area for a short while when his master fled from India.Bull is mostly off flan on this coin with only the anterior most parts of the fore legs and head visible. Parts of the Sarada script legend on obv in front of the recumbent bull facing left reads "Sri shal(ifa baga)".On the reverse, "sri hamir" will be there in front of the horseman, placed above and to the right of the head of the horse.
Ref:SS8, G&G.
Nazir ud daula Ibrahim-1059-99
He succeeded his brother Farukhsad to the throne of Ghazni. Ibrahim’s tenure of rule was generally peaceful. The main achievement of Ibrahim's reign is that Lahore rose as a great cultural center. Ibrahim died in 1099, having reigned for 42 years.
Ala ud daula Masud-1099-1115
When Ghaznavid Sultan Ibrahim died, his son Masud came to the throne. He was renowned for his love of justice and benevolence. He made Lahore de facto capital of the Ghaznavid empire.
Baha ud daula Malik Arsalan-1115-18
He being son of Masud, came to the throne following his father. But after two years he was driven out of Ghazni. He took refuge at Afghanistan, but his brother Bahram caught him and got him executed.
Yamin ud daula Bahram-1118-52
He came to the throne executing Arsalan and then he finished his other brothers also. He lost Ghazni to the Ghur ruler and so had to shift capital to Lahore.
Muizuddaula Khusru-1152-60
Muiz ud daula Khusru, son of Bahram, reigned in Lahore for eight years from 1152 to 1160. His period was generally peaceful.
D.Rajgor attributed the coin below to the Delhi ruler Muhammad bin Sam as "Muizzi" type. G&G attributes this to Muizuddin Khusru of Ghazni. Muhammad bin Sam legend reads "Muiz" rather than "Muizzi".
Taj ud din Yildiz-1212-14
Taj ud din Yildiz became the ruler of Ghazna following the death of Muhammad bin Sam in 1206. When he lost his Kingdom he captured Lahore from Nasir ud din Qubacha. He claimed Delhi also when Iltutmash was ruling Delhi. He issued coins from Lahore between 1212 and 1214. He was defeated by Iltutmash and executed around 1216.
Here is an addition to Type-2 (horseman replaced with legend and bull retained)
Izz ud daula Abd ul Rasheed of Ghazni(1050-1053.AD)
