Sultan Ghiyath al-Din Balban Silver Dirham

This finely struck silver dirham hails from the reign of Sultan Ghiyath al-Din Balban (Delhi Sultanate, circa 1266–1287 CE). Its front bears the Sultan’s name in intricate Arabic calligraphy, while the reverse proudly proclaims the Islamic creed. The squared Kufic-like border frames the central text with regal elegance. Balban, one of the most formidable rulers of the Mamluk dynasty, consolidated Delhi’s defenses and elevated courtly protocol, leaving behind a legacy of power and discipline. Coins like this served as both currency and instruments of political authority, widely circulated across Northern India and symbolizing the Sultan’s reach over trade and governance.