A Coin of Murid Shah (?)
By D. B. Diskalkar
Summary
This brief note describes an unusual silver coin recently acquired by a collector. The obverse bears an Arabic legend with the name “Murid Shah” and a date, while the reverse shows a floral device within a beaded border. The author discusses the possibility that it belonged to an obscure ruler named Murid Shah, perhaps a local chieftain or a usurper during the late Mughal period. Comparison with known coins of contemporary kings suggests stylistic affinities but no exact match. Because the coin is unique and lacks mint marks, the author urges caution in attributing it. Further research into regional histories and numismatic collections is needed to determine whether Murid Shah was a real personage or whether the legend is a blundered rendering of another name.
Conclusion
The note concludes that, pending additional evidence, the attribution of the coin to a ruler named Murid Shah remains tentative. The piece is valuable for drawing attention to a potentially unknown authority and for enriching the study of regional coinage. Continued discovery and comparative analysis may someday clarify its provenance.