A little delayed update with the April addition to my collection.
Another small coin enters the fold this month as I discuss an early medieval coin from Afghanistan.
Dating from the 9th or 10th century AD we have a small silver jital issued by the Shahi kings of Afghanistan.
Measuring about 10mm in diameter and only 1mm thick it has a silver content of roughly 70%, although the later strikes grew more and more debased as the were pushed further from the Kabul valley region by invading Islamic forces from Persia.
On the obverse of the coin is a symbol of a reclining bull with an inscription in Nagari above it. I unfortunately cannot translate the inscription on the piece I have due to wear. However, from other examples it is clear this is a inscription of the name of the ruler.
The reverse of the coin shows a relief of a horseman holding a flag.
The Hindu Shahis ruled over regions in northern India, Pakistan, and Afghanistan ranging from the Kabul valleys to Gandhara and the western Punjab.
Much of the information we have about this dynasty comes pieced together from coins, inscriptions, and chronicles left by other peoples as there is no written evidence provided by the dynasty itself.
They ruled through much of this area at a time when Islamic expansion into Afghanistan was in full swing. Starting in Persia during the mid 7th century. Muslim forces moved into what is modern Afghanistan, with a Arab governor being put in charge of Herat after it’s capture in 652 AD.
Stiff resistance to the Arab invasion would continue for the next two centuries as the majority population of the region followed Indian Buddhism. However, by the early 9th century Kabul would start to be attacked by Arabic forces as resistance was slowly worn down.
The king of Kabul would be captured by the Caliph Al-Ma’mun (813-833AD) and would be made to convert to Islam. Resistance to Arabic rule however would persist longer and it would not be until Mahmud of Ghazni (998-1030AD) that the last Hindu Shahi king would be defeated.
Numismatic Exploits 