Lot 159

Delhi Sultan, Ala al-din Alam Shah (AH 849-855, 1445-1451 AD), Billon Tanka, 9.03 gms, 16.95 mm, No Mint, AH 853, Obv: alam shah sultan bin muhammad shah bi hadrat delhi, Rev: al-khalifa amir al-mu minin khulidat khilafatuhu, Alauddin Alam Shah was the son of Muhammad Shah and was the last ruler of Sayyid dynasty. He was a man of week and dissolute character and the weakest monarch of the Delhi Sultanate. He ascended the throne with all pomp and splendor as all the chieftains except Bahlul Lodi took an oath of allegiance to him otherwise his dominion was ironically limited for an area. A very strong and mighty ruler was required to control the affairs of the Sultanate and to consolidate the disintegrating empire. But Alam Shah was inefficient and given up to sensual pleasures. He had no ability and capability to control the administration of the Sultanate. As a result of his incompetence he left all the work of administration in the hands of his minister, Hamid Khan, and himself began to live in Badaun. Gradually, Hamid Khan captured all the powers of the Sultanate and became so impertinent that he started ignoring the Sultan. The Sultan conspired against Hamid Khan in order to get rid of him but did not succeed. On the contrary, Hamid Khan invited Bahiol Lodi, Governor of Multan, to invade Delhi. Bahlol Lodi was already looking for such an opportunity. He immediately marched against Delhi and captured power. Hamid Khan was expecting that he would make Bahlol Lodi his puppet but he proved too powerful to bow down before his ambitions. Hamid Khan was imprisoned and killed later. Bahlol Lodi invited Alauddin Alam Shah to get his throne back but he refused politely. He continued to live in Badaun till his death in A.D. 1476. He said to Bahlol, “Since my father called you his son and I have no anxiety for the provision of my few wants, I am content with one Pargana of Badaun and am giving up the empire to you.” G&G # D684, very fine+, very rare.