Lot 3954

Description

Ghorids of Afghanistan and India, Taj al-din Yildiz (A.H. 602-611) (A.D. 1206-1214), broad and heavy gold dinar (12.0 grams), Balad Ghazna mint, 604 A.H. = A.D. 1208, obv and rev. four lines of inscription in square (kalina and names), legends around, in the name of his former master, Mu'izz al din Mohammed ibn Sam (A.H. 569-602) (A.D. 1173-1193), (A.1783, Kazan [similar piece of year 605], No.1132, Rajgor 735). Flat on portion of the coin, otherwise very fine and very rare.

The Ghorids were the rulers of Ghor in the mountains east of Herat. They asserted their independence from the ghaznavids when 'Ala al din Hosayn Jahansah (A.H. 544-556) revolted. They sacked Ghazi in 550. They are best known from the exploits of Hosayn's nephew Mu'izz al din Mohammed who was appointed to rule the province of Ghazna in 569 (1173). He later conquered much of northern India and extablished the Delhi Sultanate (see Noble Auction sale 50, lot 1750) for first distinctive issue.