The Foundation of Muslim Rule in India: A History of the Establishment and Progress of the Turkish Sultanate of Delhi, 1206–1290 A.D. c18.54

c18.54

Experimental pieces. The inclusion of the reigning Caliph’s name on the obverse completed the experimental process, which, judging from the published specimens, was begun as early as 614/1217¹. The first appearance of the Caliph’s name on the obverse of a clearly dated coin, hitherto containing only the *kalimah*, was on the issue of 622/1225, which also contains an elaboration of the Sultan’s title indicating his closer association with the “commander of the Faithful”². From 628/1230-1, appears the name of the Caliph al-Mustansir for in that year Iltutmish received his long-expected investiture, an event most probably commemorated by the undated issue which bears only the *kalimah* and the Caliph’s name³. The legend that was thus finally evolved is represented by No. 31 of Thomas which, with slight variations, continued to be the model of his successors’ *tankah*.