Muhammad bin Tughluq Delhi Sultanate Billon Tanka

Delhi Sultanate (Tughluq dynasty), Muhammad bin Tughluq, (AH 725-752, 1325-1351 CE), Composition: Billon (Silver+Copper), Denomination: BI Tanka, Weight: 9.18 grams, Diameter: 18 mm, Obv: duriba fi zaman al-abd al-raji rahmat allah muhammad bin, Rev: al-sultan al-sa id al-shahid tughluq shah and date written out, Reference: G&G # D370, about very fine, + scarce.

Muhammad bin Tughluq (r. 1325–1351 CE) was one of the most ambitious yet controversial rulers of the Delhi Sultanate. Highly educated and visionary, he introduced several bold policies, many of which failed due to poor execution. His most famous experiment was the token currency of billon (silver mixed with copper), including BI Tankas, intended to replace silver coins—this policy collapsed because of large-scale forgery. He also attempted the transfer of the capital from Delhi to Daulatabad, causing immense hardship and mass deaths. Militarily, he launched ambitious campaigns toward Khurasan and the Himalayas, but most expeditions ended in failure, draining the treasury. Despite these setbacks, his reign saw administrative innovation and extensive coinage reforms. Muhammad bin Tughluq died in 1351 CE during a campaign in Sindh. His tomb is located at Tughlaqabad, Delhi. He was succeeded by his cousin Firoz Shah Tughluq, who reversed many of his failed policies and brought relative stability to the empire.