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Although the first Muslim conquerors in India were the Habbarids of Sind and the Amirs of Multan, their effect on the country was not very far-reaching. The Ghaznavids were
a Turkic dynasty that started out as regional governors for the Samanids in the area of Ghazni in modern Afghanistan. They became independent in AH 389 (= 999 CE) and
expnaded their realm into northern India. Mahmud, the son of the founder of the dynasty, embarked on a major military campaign, as a result of which he became the ruler of
most of present-day Afghanistan, Iran, Pakistan and northwestern India. The Ghaznavid dynasty succumbed to the Ghorids in the late 12th century.
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Isma'il (997-998) |
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Isma'il (997-998) Silver dirham, Ghazna
Weight: 3.23 gm., Diameter: 17-19 mm., Die axis: 6 o'clock
Legend /
Legend |
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Because of the strict Islamic stricture against images, the Ghaznavids, as did almost all the Muslim dynasties, issued
coinage that carried only legends on both sides. |
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Mahmud (998-1030) |
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Mahmud (998-1030) Silver dirham, bilingual type, Mahmudpur (Lahore)
Weight: 2.81 gm., Diameter: 19 mm., Die axis: 7 o'clock
Arabic legend: Shahada followed by yamin al-daula wa amin mahmud al-milla
(Mahmud guardian of the faith), al-qadir above, billah at left
Date in the margin: AH 418 (= 1027-1028 CE) /
Sanskrit legend in Sharada letters: avyaktameka muhammada avatar nripati mahamuda
(the Invisible is One, Muhammad is the manifestation, Mahmud the king) |
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A fascinating coin in that it is one of the few bilingual coins from this period, showing the Islamic professions of creed in
both Arabic and Sanskrit! This variety has al-qadir above and billah at left on the obverse. Also, the reverse margin reads: avyaktiya name ayam tankam hato
mahamudapura samvati ... |
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Mahmud (998-1030) Silver dirham, bilingual type, Mahmudpur (Lahore)
Weight: 2.84 gm., Diameter: 19 mm., Die axis: 5 o'clock
Arabic legend: Shahada followed by yamin al-daula wa amin mahmud al-milla
(Mahmud guardian of the faith), al-qadir at left, billah above
Date in the margin: AH 418 (= 1027-1028 CE) /
Sanskrit legend in Sharada letters: avyaktameka muhammada avatar nripati mahamuda
(the Invisible is One, Muhammad is the manifestation, Mahmud the king) |
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This variety has al-qadir at left and billah above on the obverse. Also, the reverse margin reads:
ayam tankam mahamudapura ghatita tajikiyera samvati ... |
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Mas'ud I (1031-1041) |
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Mas'ud I (1030-1041) Silver dirham, Ghazna
Weight: 3.22 gm., Diameter: 17-18 mm., Die axis: 7 o'clock
Legend /
Legend
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Mas'ud I (1030-1041) Silver dirham, Ghazna
Weight: 4.11 gm., Diameter: 19 mm., Die axis: 7 o'clock
Legend /
Legend
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Maudud (1041-1050) |
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Mas'ud I (1030-1041) Silver dirham, Ghazna
Weight: 2.57 gm., Diameter: 18 mm., Die axis: 3 o'clock
Legend /
Legend
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Mas'ud I (1030-1041) Silver dirham, Ghazna
Weight: 3.54 gm., Diameter: 18 mm., Die axis: 7 o'clock
Legend /
Legend
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Mas'ud I (1030-1041) Silver dirham, Ghazna
Weight: 2.95 gm., Diameter: 18 mm., Die axis: 8 o'clock
Legend /
Legend
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