Bijapur Sultanate Sultan Ibrahim Adil Shah II Copper 2/3 Falus

Bijapur Sultanate, Sultan Ibrahim Adil Shah II, r. AH 988–1037 / 1580–1627 CE, Denomination: 2/3 Falus, Composition: Copper, Weight: 7.56 grams, Diameter: 14.60 mm, Reference: G&G BJ16, About Very Fine, + Extremely Scarce.

Obverse: Tughra-style calligraphy with the devotional legend “Ghulam-i-Murtuza,” and the name “‘Ali” prominently placed above.

Reverse: Complementary tughra calligraphy continuing the religious and royal titulature of the Bijapur mint tradition.

Ibrahim Adil Shah II ascended the throne of the Bijapur Sultanate in 1580 CE and ruled for nearly five decades, making his reign one of the longest and most culturally vibrant in Deccan history. The sixth ruler of the Adil Shahi dynasty, he was not only an able administrator and military strategist—expanding Bijapur’s influence southward up to Mysore—but also an extraordinary patron of arts, literature, and music. A gifted poet and musician himself, he composed verses in praise of Hindu deities such as Saraswati and Ganapati, reflecting his syncretic outlook. His celebrated work Kitab-e-Navras (Book of Nine Rasas) contains 59 poems and 17 couplets dedicated to aesthetics and devotion. Revered for his inclusive philosophy, he earned the unique title “Jagadguru Badshah” in Indian history.