1 Damma - Mihira Deva 712-856

Weight

0.62 g

Diameter

12.4 mm

Thickness

0.5 mm

Material

Silver

Shape

Round (irregular)

Edge Type

NA

Technique

NA

Front design

NA

Back design

NA

Year of Minting

712-856

Ruler

NA

Mint location

NA

Mint mark

NA

Orientation

NA

Inscriptions

NA

Context

From https://ancient-indian-coins.blogspot.com/2019/01/mysterious-coins-from-multan-before-and.html : Three dots, stylized Brahmi 'Sri' above, Brahmi letters 'Ta' and 'Pa' in fields, below Lillah Mih in arabic / Brahmi legend ' Sri Mi Hi / Ra De Va '. 10mmx12mm, 0.62 grams. Unpublished and very rare. On this type the name written in Brahmi - Lord Mihira Deva (a completely Hindu name) seems to be repeated on the reverse and 'In Allah Mih' ('Mih' almost certainly a short form of 'Mihira'). It is possible that a local Hindi ruler embraced Islam (based on 'Lillah'...) but issued coins under his old name as well. Interestingly, 'Mihira' means 'Sun' - probably a reference to the giant and famous sun temple in Multan After the conquest of Multan by Umayyad Caliphate in 8th Century AD, under Muhammad bin Qasim, the Sun Temple became a source of great income for the Muslim invaders. Muhammad bin Qasim 'made captive of the custodians of the budd, numbering 6000' and looted its wealth, sparing the idol — which was made of wood, covered with red leather and two red rubies for its eyes and wearing a gem-studded gold crown — 'thinking it best to leave the idol where it was, but hanging a piece of cow's flesh on its neck by way of mockery'. This coin, with it's reference to 'Mihira' in both Hindu and Muslim context, might be a link to these events. Schematic of the full inscription are available at the aforementioned site as the design is larger than the coin.

Rarity

Ultra rare

Coin type

Standard circulation

In circulation

No

Demonetized

Yes

Marketplace listings

0