Parenda Mint Murtaza Nizam Shah Il Ahmadnagar Sultanate Marathi Muslim kingdom Copper 2/3 Falus Coin

Ahmadnagar Sultanate, Marathi Muslim kingdom, Murtaza Nizam Shah Il, (AH1009-1019/1600-1610 CE), Denomination: 2/3 Falus, Metal: Copper, Weight: 4.85 grams, Diameter: 13.90 mm, Obv: murtada nizam shah bin shah ali, Rev: darb dar al-mulk parenda fi shuhur sanah, Reference: Unlisted, Very fine

Issued under Murtaza Nizam Shah II, this copper 2/3 Falus represents the final and most turbulent phase of the Ahmadnagar Sultanate, a Deccan-based Marathi Muslim kingdom facing existential pressure from the expanding Mughal Empire. Dated to AH 1009–1019 (1600–1610 CE), the coin belongs to the period of Murtaza Nizam Shah II’s nominal reign, during which the sultan exercised little independent authority. Effective control of the state lay with the celebrated Ethiopian-origin regent and wazir Malik Ambar, who governed in the sultan’s name and successfully organized prolonged resistance against Mughal domination.

The obverse inscription, “Murtada Nizam Shah bin Shah Ali,” asserts the dynastic legitimacy of the Nizam Shahi ruler, maintaining continuity of royal titulature despite weakened sovereignty. The reverse legend, “Darb Dar al-Mulk Parenda fi Shuhur Sanah,” identifies the mint at Parenda and follows established Deccan conventions of recording mint and date. Coins of this late phase are historically significant, as they demonstrate how monetary authority continued to be issued in the sultan’s name even when real political and military power was exercised by a regent. Such issues vividly reflect the fragile yet resilient administrative framework of Ahmadnagar during its final struggle against Mughal annexation.