Medieval India Coinage not only gives us wonderful insights about the history of Medieval India, but also about the different types of Calendar Systems that were followed in those days. Let’s take a look at three such calendar systems today by studying three medieval coins.

Very Rare Silver Tanka of Mahendra Deva from Bengal Sultanate

These beautiful coins of medieval India were issued by Bengal Sultanate during the regime of Mahendra Deva in 1340. They bore the denomination Tanka and were die-struck in 10 to 100 grams of silver at Pandunagar or Pandua Mint. These medieval period coins featuring Bengali script are considered to be very rare and adopted the Saka Era Calendar system for mentioning the date. The obverse side features the Bengali inscription “Sri Sri mahendra devasya” within a scalloped circle while the reverse side depicts the Bengali inscription sri chandi charana parayana in within a square. The Saka Era began after the ascension of king Chashtana of Shaka Empire in 78 CE.

Extremely Rare Gold Mohur of Shah Jahan from Mughal Empire

These stunning medieval coins of India were issued during the reign of Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in 1037 as per Anno Hijri Calendar system or the Regnal year 1/Ahad. They bore the denomination Mohur and were die-struck in 10.8 to 11 grams of Gold at Agra mint. The coins in Medieval India are considered to be extremely are and are sold across auction houses around the world for impressive amounts. The obverse side features the Persian legend Sahib Qiran Shihab Al Din Muhammad Shah Jahan Badshah Gazi, Sana Ahad below ghazi while the reverse side depicts the Persian legend Kalima and Mint name “Dar-ul-Khilafa Agra” with AH Year. The Anno Hijri calendar system begins with the Islamic New Year in 622 CE when Muhammad and his followers migrated from Mecca to Yathrib (Medina), in an event known as Hijra, and founded of the first Muslim community (ummah).

Extremely Rare 2 Paisa Copper Coin of Ranjit Singh from Sikh Empire

These extremely rare medieval coins in India were struck by the Sikh Empire during the regime of Ranjit Singh in the year 1885 as per Vikram Samvat Calendar System. They bore the denomination 2 Paise and were die-struck in 20 grams of copper at Amritsar Mint. The obverse side of these medieval coins featured a leaf In Gurumukhi Inscription while the reverse side depicted another Gurumukhi inscription. Experts believe that the Vikram Samvat Calendar marks the beginning of the reign of King Vikramaditya. However some historians believe that the system existed even before the reign of Vikramaditya.

Hope you got a quick overview about different calendar systems that were followed while striking medieval coins in India.