Medieval coins of Vijayanagara – Tuluva, Bikaner Princely state and Sultans of Madura

Coins of medieval India are found in so many different varieties that you will be truly amazed! The most popular medieval period coins of India are the ones that were issued during the Mughal period and the ones struck under the regime of Maratha Kings. However, if you really want to learn in depth about history of Medieval India, then you will have to research about the different categories of Medieval India coinage. Coins in Medieval India can be broadly classified into five different categories namely, Sultans, Mughals, Independent Kingdoms, Indian Princely states and Hindu Kingdoms. Let’s explore some examples from these varieties.

You must have heard of famous dynasties which ruled Delhi Sultanate like Mamluk, Khilji, Tughluq, Suri etc. but many of us might not be aware about the Sultans of Madura. Ghiyat Al Din Muhammad Damghan Shah was one of the rulers from this dynasty whose reign lasted for a short period of four years, from 1340 to 1344. Here’s one of the beautiful medieval coins of India that was issued under his regime in 744 AH. This extremely rare Gold Tanka weighs around 11.8 to 11.9 grams and was Die-Struck at Daulatabad. These exquisite medieval period coins featured the Persian legend Al Sultan Al Azam Shams Al Dunya Wa'd Din Abu'l Muzaffar Ibrahim Shah Al Sultan Khulidat Mamlakatahu on the obverse. The reverse of these medieval coins of India featured the legend Sikandar Al Sani Yamin Al Khilafa Nasir Amir Al Mominin along with Date at in margins and mint name.

Sadashivaraya was the ruler of Vijayanagara - Tuluva from 1542 to 1568. These Gold Pagodas are considered to be one of the most artistic coins in Medieval India.  They weigh around 3.4 grams and have a diameter of 11 to 12 millimetres. They belong to the Vishnu and Lakshmi series of Vijayanagara - Tuluva coins.  The obverse design of these lovely medieval coins of India featured Vishnu and Lakshmi sitting on a raised seat. Vishnu is holding a discus in his right hand while a conch in his left hand. The reverse depicted the Devanagari Legend "Sri Pra / ta pa Sa da si / va ra ya" in three lines.


Sardar Singh ruled Bikaner Princely state from 1851 to 1872. During his regime, he issued some extremely rare medieval period coins. This 1/4 Rupee copper coin weighs around 2.67 to 2.90 grams and has a diameter of 18 to 21 millimetres. These round or irregular shaped medieval coins of India were die struck at Bikanir Mint and followed the Anno Hijri Calendar system. The obverse featured name and title of Alamgir, AH date and a lined upright leaf, while the reverse featured Mint marks and a Persian legend.

 Keep looking out for these stunning Medieval Period Coins of India and do share pictures of your collection!

Medieval Period Coins of Sultans and Mughals

Coins of medieval India come in different varieties. If you understand their categories, you would be able to build an interesting and unique collection for sure. Medieval period coins of India can be divided into four main categories namely, coins of sultans, Mughal coinage, coins issued by Princely sates and the ones that were authorised by Hindu kingdoms. Let’s take a look at some medieval coins from the first two categories.

Indian Sultanates

The Ghori kings ruled certain parts of north India and Delhi from 1103 to 1206. The Mamluk or Slave Dynasty overtook the regime from 1206 to 1290, after which the Khaljis ruled Delhi from 1290 to 1320. The Khiljis were followed by Tughluq Dynasty who ruled from 1320 to 1414. Then came the Sayyid dynasty who ruled Delhi from 1414 to 1451. The Lodi Dynasty ruled Delhi from 1451 to 1526 while the Suris took over the regime from 1538 to 1554. There were different sultanates in different territories as well like Jaunpur, Malwa, Sindh, Kashmir, Ahmednagar, Deccan region, Bengal, Madura, Gujarat Sultan and Kalpi.

These Billon medieval period coins were struck under the regime of Muhammad Bin Sam and carried the denomination Jital. It weighs around 3.5 grams and has a diameter of 15mm. These coins followed the Anno Hijri calendar system and were die struck. These commonly found coins followed the theme of a horse, horseman and an Arabic legend. The obverse features the Arabic inscription Al-Sultan Al-Azam Muhammad Bin Sam while the reverse depicts a Horseman to the right.

Mughal coinage

The Mughals ruled different parts of India from 1526 to 1540 and then later from 1555 to 1857. Babur, Humayun, Akbar, Jahangir, Shah Jahan and Aurangzeb were some of the greatest rulers of the Mughal empire. Out of them, medieval coins of Akbar, Jahangir and Shah Jahan are extremely popular all over the world.

This beautiful gold mohur of Akbar weighed around 10.8 to 10.9 grams and had a diameter of 21 to 26 millimetres. This is a Kalima type coin which dated 978 as per the Anno Hijri calendar. They were Die Struck at Agra Mint and featured name and title of Akbar, Date between two parallel lines, Mint name, and the text Khallad allah mulkahu on the obverse. The reverse featured the Kalima within ornamented quarter-foil with looped corners and name of four caliphs around.

We have only talked about a few coins of medieval India here. There are several others which you can explore to build an impressive collection of medieval period coins.