Classical Numismatic Group, LLC
Electronic Auction 413 31 Jan 2018
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INDIA, Mughal Empire. Zahir al-Din Muhammad Babur. Third reign as sultan of Fergana, AH 910-937 / AD 1504-1530. AR Shahrukhi (22mm, 3.06 g, 1h). Qandahar mint. Dated AH [9]14 (AD 1508/9). Kalima in three lines across field; all within ornate circular frame; titles in outer margin / Mint formula and partial AH date within ornate frame; name, titles, and invocation around. Rahman –; Album –; Zeno –; CNG E-392, lot 704 (same dies). VF, VF, toned, areas of flat strike at periphery, mount removed.
Although Babur was a direct descendent of the great Mongol rulers Ghengis Khan and Tamerlane (Timur), the realm he inherited upon his father's death in 1494 did not extend beyond the confines of the remote province of Ferghana (Khokand). Being only 11 years old at the time, he quickly lost even that to rivals, and retreated into the mountains with a band of loyal followers to prepare a plan of reconquest; his ultimate ambition being to reclaim the ancestoral throne at Samarkand. In 1497 he briefly held the city for some 100 days, at which time rare countermarked coins were issued. Babur was never able to retain complete control of Persia, and after a decisive defeat in 1512, he turned his sights to India. Despite his youthful reversals, Babur proved an equal to his illustrious ancestors, crushing the Afghans and Rajputs at the battles of Panipat and Khanua in 1526 and 1527 and leaving his Mongol (Mughal) dynasty as masters of northern India.
Although Babur was a direct descendent of the great Mongol rulers Ghengis Khan and Tamerlane (Timur), the realm he inherited upon his father's death in 1494 did not extend beyond the confines of the remote province of Ferghana (Khokand). Being only 11 years old at the time, he quickly lost even that to rivals, and retreated into the mountains with a band of loyal followers to prepare a plan of reconquest; his ultimate ambition being to reclaim the ancestoral throne at Samarkand. In 1497 he briefly held the city for some 100 days, at which time rare countermarked coins were issued. Babur was never able to retain complete control of Persia, and after a decisive defeat in 1512, he turned his sights to India. Despite his youthful reversals, Babur proved an equal to his illustrious ancestors, crushing the Afghans and Rajputs at the battles of Panipat and Khanua in 1526 and 1527 and leaving his Mongol (Mughal) dynasty as masters of northern India.