Ahmadnagar Sultanate, Burhan Nizam Shah II (AH 1000-1003/1591-1595 AD), Burhanabad Mint, Silver Abbasi, AH 1001, Obv: Arabic legend “la ilaha illa allahu muhammadur rasulullah ali wali Allah”(Shia version of Kalima )in a mihrabi-style cartouche, Rev: Arabic legend “zarb Burhanabad” within a circle, partially legible truncated marginal inscription apparently with the name “al-sultan Burhan Nizam Shah” written clockwise, 7.25g, 19.00mm, (Unlisted in G&G), about extremely fine, Extremely Rare.

Note: It is said that the weight for these unique medieval coins was adapted based on the Ottoman issues and is a rare instance of the Shia version of the Kalima appearing on an Indian coin. The calligraphy and design on the coin is strongly influenced by the Safavid coinage of Iran and points to the Persian influence that reached the Shia Sultanate of Ahmadnagar through the influx of people and trade on the Konkan ports controlled by its rulers. The coin can therefore be viewed as an excellent example of cross-cultural and trans-regional influences as they appear in the numismatics of the regional Deccani Sultanates.