332 On the Coins of the Independent [No. 173. 



Husein Shah reigned twenty-four years, and notwithstanding some 

 unjustifiable proceedings in the early part of his career, was deservedly 

 beloved by his subjects, and respected by surrounding governments. 

 The emperor Sekandar, who had subdued the province of Behar, 

 marched against Husein Shah ; but found it convenient to arrange a 

 treaty of peace with so vigorous a prince, and withdraw towards Delhi, 

 ere the commission of aggression on either side rendered a friendly 

 adjustment impracticable. Ala ud-din died in 927 at Gour, where his 

 tomb still exists. Many monuments of this reign are scattered over the 

 country. 



Husein Shah was succeeded by his son Nasrat Shah, or, as he is 

 improperly styled by historians, Nasib Shah. From the accession of 

 this prince may be dated the decline of the independent kingdom of Ben- 

 gal. The chronology of his reign is involved in much perplexity, which 

 unfortunately the dates upon the coinage of the times, do not assist in 

 unravelling. Historians seem to have fused the events of two reigns, 

 those of Nasrat Shah and his successor, into one ; and notwithstanding 

 their comparative recency, there is more uncertainty and confusion in 

 the history of those times, than in that of the earlier periods of the 

 kingdom. The coins Nos. 22 and 23, are two of several that have passed 

 through my hands. They have no date, but their legend and the locale 

 of their coinage leave no doubt as to the propriety of their ascription to 

 this prince. The inscription reads from reverse to obverse — 



Nasrat Shah came to the throne under the most favourable auspices, 

 as far at least as regarded the internal condition of his government as 

 bequeathed by his wise and vigorous father ; but from his cruel and 

 tyrannical disposition gave great disgust to his subjects and dependents. 

 He was assassinated by his own servants after a reign, (according to 

 historians) of eleven years. This would make the date of his death 938, 

 (according to others it was 940 or 943,) but this does not agree with 

 the date inscribed upon the next coin. 



Nasrat Shah was succeeded by Mahmud Shah. This king is altoge- 

 ther omitted by the author of the Tabqat-i-Akbari, who ascribes all 



