Ghaznavid Sultanate – Sultan Ibrahim
Billon Jital | Lahore Mint | Bull & Sri Samanta Deva Type | 3.20 g
A historically fascinating Billon Jital issued under Sultan Nasir-ud-Daula Ibrahim of the Ghaznavid Sultanate, struck at the important Lahore Mint between AH 451–493, corresponding to 1059–1099 CE. This remarkable coin is nearly 1,000 years old and represents an important fusion of Islamic and Indian monetary traditions.
The coin is especially interesting for preserving the traditional Indian Bull and “Sri Samanta Deva” design on one side, while carrying an Arabic inscription naming the Ghaznavid ruler on the other. This combination makes it an important example of the cultural and political transition in medieval north-western India.
OBVERSE:
The obverse depicts a bull walking to the left, with the Nagari legend “Sri Samanta Deva” above.
The continuation of this famous Bull and Horseman monetary tradition demonstrates how established Indian coin designs continued to be used even after the region came under Ghaznavid political influence.
REVERSE:
The reverse carries an Arabic inscription within a circular border reading:
“‘Adl Nasir al-Daula wa Zahir al-Milla Ibrahim”
The ruler’s titles are accompanied by the mint and date in the surrounding margin.
This Islamic inscription provides a striking contrast to the traditional Indian bull and Nagari legend on the obverse.
COIN DETAILS:
Empire: Ghaznavid Sultanate
Ruler: Nasir-ud-Daula Ibrahim
Reign: AH 451–493 / 1059–1099 CE
Mint: Lahore
Current Location of Mint: Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan
Denomination: Jital
Metal: Billon
Weight: 3.20 g
Diameter: 15.14 mm
Condition: About Fine
Obverse: Bull walking left with “Sri Samanta Deva” above
Reverse: Arabic inscription naming and titulature of Sultan Ibrahim, with mint and date in margin
Script: Nagari and Arabic
Reference: G&G #GZ31
Age: Approximately 925–965 years old
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND:
Sultan Ibrahim was one of the important rulers of the Ghaznavid Sultanate, ruling for approximately four decades during the 11th century CE.
By this period, Lahore had become an important centre of Ghaznavid power in the north-western Indian subcontinent. The coinage struck there provides remarkable evidence of the interaction between the incoming Islamic ruling traditions and the long-established monetary culture of the region.
Rather than completely abandoning familiar local coin designs, Ghaznavid rulers continued certain established Indian motifs, particularly the highly recognisable Bull and “Sri Samanta Deva” type.
THE SRI SAMANTA DEVA CONNECTION:
One of the most fascinating features of this coin is the continuation of the “Sri Samanta Deva” legend.
The Bull and Horseman tradition had already become deeply established in the monetary history of north-western India. Its continued use under Ghaznavid rule illustrates how familiar coin designs could survive political change and remain important within local commerce.
This makes the coin a remarkable bridge between earlier Hindu Shahi and north Indian monetary traditions and the Islamic coinage of the Ghaznavid period.
NUMISMATIC SIGNIFICANCE:
This coin beautifully combines two different cultural traditions:
• Traditional Indian bull imagery
• The Nagari legend “Sri Samanta Deva”
• Arabic Islamic inscription
• Ghaznavid royal titulature
• Lahore Mint
• Billon Jital denomination
The combination of Indian and Islamic elements makes this type particularly important for understanding the transition of political and monetary systems in medieval north-western India.
COLLECTOR'S APPEAL:
An excellent addition to collections specialising in:
Ghaznavid Coins
Medieval Indian Coinage
Lahore Mint Coins
Bull and Horseman Tradition
Sri Samanta Deva Coins
Indo-Islamic Coinage
Billon Jitals
Arabic and Nagari Script Coins
Medieval Punjab History
11th Century CE Numismatics
A remarkable nearly 1,000-year-old Billon Jital of Sultan Ibrahim, struck at Lahore and combining the traditional Indian Bull and “Sri Samanta Deva” design with Ghaznavid Islamic royal inscriptions — a fascinating symbol of the cultural fusion of medieval India.
