A medieval silver tanka issued under Sultan Azam Shah of the Bengal Sultanate, dating to the late 14th and early 15th centuries. Weighing 10.57 grams, this coin represents the rich numismatic heritage of medieval Bengal, when independent sultans governed an important commercial and cultural centre of eastern India.
The coin is attributed to the Hadrat Firuzabad mint and belongs to the “Nasir Amir al-Mu’minin” inscription type. Its Arabic legends and traditional hand-struck manufacture reflect the Islamic monetary conventions of the period, making it an engaging example of Bengal Sultanate coinage.
Obverse
Features Arabic inscriptions associated with the ruler and the Islamic titulature used on the coinage of the Bengal Sultanate. The “Nasir Amir al-Mu’minin” designation forms a key identifying element of this variety.
Reverse
Bears Arabic-script legends associated with the sultan and the Hadrat Firuzabad mint. The inscriptions reflect the political authority and religious titulature customary on medieval Islamic coinage.
Coin Details
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Region: Bengal Sultanate
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Ruler: Sultan Azam Shah
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Denomination: Silver Tanka
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Weight: 10.57 g
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Mint: Hadrat Firuzabad
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Inscription Type: Nasir Amir al-Mu’minin
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Reference: G&G B241
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Attributed Reign: AH 792–813 / 1389–1410 CE
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Period: Late 14th to early 15th century
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Approximate Age: Around 616–637 years old in 2026, depending on the exact issue date
Historical Background
The Bengal Sultanate emerged as a powerful independent political entity in eastern India during the medieval period. Its rulers developed a distinctive coinage tradition that combined Arabic inscriptions, Islamic titles, and regional mint names.
Sultan Azam Shah is associated with an important phase in Bengal’s political and cultural history. The region’s position along major inland and maritime trade routes contributed to its economic significance, while silver tankas served as an important denomination within its monetary system.
Numismatic Significance
Silver tankas of the Bengal Sultanate are valuable historical records of medieval governance, mint activity, and Islamic titulature in the Indian subcontinent. The combination of ruler attribution, mint name, inscription type, and catalogue reference helps distinguish this coin within the broader series of Bengal Sultanate issues.
Collector’s Appeal
An attractive historical coin for collectors of medieval Indian numismatics, Islamic coinage, and the independent sultanates of the Indian subcontinent. Its reported Hadrat Firuzabad mint attribution, distinctive inscription type, substantial silver weight, and G&G B241 reference make it a meaningful addition to a specialised collection.
