02/07/2026
Featured Highlights of Current Prime Auction #55 — Lot #132
Exceptionally Rare Dawar Bakhsh Lahore Mint Silver Rupee AH 1037 / Ahad RY Coin.
https://marudhararts.com/live-printed-auction/auction-no-55/lot-no-132/coins-of-india/mughal-coins/05-dawar-bakhsh-in-lahore-1627/exceptionally-rare-dawar-bakhsh-lahore-mint-silver-rupee-ah-1037-ahad-ry-coin
Obverse: Arabic legend The Kalima Shahada with Hijri 1037 & zarb Lahore.
Reverse: Persian legend “Abul Muzaffar Dawar Bakhsh Badshah” with *sana Ahad* regnal year, 11.3g, 21.5mm, (KM #195.1), test marks, About Extremely Fine, Exceptionally Rare.
Note: Dawar Bakhsh Mirza, affectionately called “Bulaki” by Jahangir, was born in AH 1016 (AD 1607) as the son of Khusrau Mirza and grandson of Jahangir. Though his reign lasted barely over two months, his story remains one of the most fascinating episodes in Mughal dynastic politics. Khusrau Mirza had once been regarded as the natural heir to Jahangir and remained immensely popular even after his rebellion and downfall. By the final years of Jahangir’s reign in AH 1037 (AD 1627), Dawar Bakhsh had become the surviving representative of that lineage. Jahangir himself appears to have held genuine affection for the young prince, who received important appointments, including association with the Deccan administration and the governorship of Gujarat.
When Jahangir died on 28 Safar AH 1037 (7 November AD 1627), the Mughal Empire descended into uncertainty. Nur Jahan supported Shahryar, while Asaf Khan worked secretly to secure the throne for Prince Khurram (the future Shah Jahan). At this critical moment, Dawar Bakhsh was held in confinement. Asaf Khan released Dawar Bakhsh and elevated him almost overnight as a temporary Timurid claimant to stabilize the empire. A hurried enthronement took place near Bhimbar in Safar AH 1037 (November AD 1627), where the Khutba was read in his name under the regnal style “Abu al Muzaffar Dawar Bakhsh.”
What makes this episode remarkable is how quickly the symbols of kingship appeared around him. Imperial standards, the Khutba, and coinage all acknowledged his authority, though in reality he served as a political bridge between Jahangir’s death and Shah Jahan’s accession. Meanwhile, Shahryar declared himself emperor at Lahore, and on 19 November AD 1627 (10 Rabi al Awwal AH 1037), forces loyal to Asaf Khan defeated him near Lahore, after which he was captured and blinded.
On 20 November AD 1627 (11 Rabi al Awwal AH 1037), a second and more formal coronation was held for Dawar Bakhsh at Lahore, where he reportedly received the *laqab* “Sher Shah.” Despite this, real authority remained with Asaf Khan. As Shah Jahan advanced northward from the Deccan, Dawar Bakhsh’s position rapidly deteriorated. By January AD 1628 (Jumada al Akhir AH 1037), his political usefulness had ended.
The Khutba was read in Shah Jahan’s name, and on 2 February AD 1628 (26 Jumada al Akhir AH 1037), Dawar Bakhsh, Shahryar, and several Timurid princes were executed. He was only around twenty years old, and his reign lasted roughly seventy days. Today, only scattered references in chronicles, imperial memoirs, and a small number of coins survive from this uncertain transition in Mughal history.
This Dawar Bakhsh rupee dated RY “Ahad” is of extraordinary numismatic importance. The use of the word “Ahad” instead of the numeral “1” reflects the early Mughal regnal dating style employed during his brief reign. It suggests it was minted during the brief interval between his enthronement at Bhimbar (8 November AD 1627 / 29 Safar AH 1037) and his formal coronation at Lahore (20 November AD 1627 / 11 Rabi al Awwal AH 1037). The fact that the Khutba was read in his name twice suggests that he briefly held support in Lahore despite Shahryar’s control of the city. Coins like this directly reflect the tumultuous Mughal succession struggle and the fleeting reign of a puppet emperor.
This rupee exhibits a fully legible inscription, clear margins, and its condition surpasses most known specimens. With fewer than 10 surviving examples, this coin stands among the rarest and most historically important numismatic pieces from one of the shortest reigns in Mughal history.
We have handled only two of this type, including this piece. A similar coin was sold in our Auction No. 47 in January 2025 for approximately ₹28.75 lakh, including commission and fees.
🏆 One of the highest and top rarities of Mughal numismatics!
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