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Coins of Kashmir sultans dug up in Srinagar

In a significant numismatic discovery, 1,450 copper coins belonging to the Sultanate period of Kashmir have been recovered at Barthana Qamarwari in downtown Srinagar.

According to Archaeology and Museums Deputy Director M H Makhdomi, the hoard was unearthed while digging a grave in the Barthana graveyard.

The coins are round and bear the name and title of the issuers.

Makhdomi said the typical Sultanate coin monogram ''bar and naught'' was also clear on the obverse of the coins.

The coins carry the mint name 'Zarbi Kashmir' (currency of Kashmir) in crude Arabic letters. About 25 coins have the names of five sultans of Kashmir -- Zain-ul-Abiden, Hassan Shah, Mohammad Shah, Fateh Shah and Ali Shah -- and were minted between 1420 AD and 1579 AD.

UNI

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