1838.] printed in Rupography. 417 



The form seems imitated from that of the Abbassite khalifs, having 

 the legend in concentric circles written in the Cufic form of Arabic. 

 The facsimile represents exactly by the dark parts where the surface is 

 worn smooth ; however, by carefully comparing the two specimens, the 

 whole has been made out satisfactorily with the aid of my brother Mr. 

 H. T. Prinsep. 



It is curious that the common title of Shahdb ul din, by which Mu- 

 hammed is generally known in Indian history, does not appear on this 

 Ghazneh dirhem, which gives him the two-fold designation of ghids ul 

 din, ' the supporter of the faith,' and moaz ul ndsir le din, the humbled 

 of the defender to the faith — (sc. to the Caliph of Baghdad). Proba- 

 bly the patent for the new title of Shahdb ul din, the flaming sword of 

 faith, given in honor of his brilliant and destructive expeditions into 

 India had not yet arrived from the court of the caliph. If so the word 

 tisain (90) in the date may be read wrong. 



Shahab ul di'n, Muhammad, bin Sam. 



Founder of the Ghon dynasty of Delhi. Reigned A. H. 588—602, 

 (A. D. 1192—1206.) 



Silver. Weight 73.4 to 92.6 grains. 



Legends on the concentric circles of the Obverse. 

 (JJ*a\ j &J y*s ^y**} ^S^\ y*> 



Ditto of the Reverse. 

 LU^^. fc/**^; ***" **"** A iH= ^L^i^ctfl lift cj;^ 



'[The inscriptions are copied at length in plate XXL] 



