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U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2000

Indo-Islamic Cultural Syncretism

Authentic Past Paper Standard Evaluation

Who among the following issued silver coins with Sanskrit legend on one side?

Solution & Analysis

Answer: B

Concept Numismatics can often show surprising cultural intersections where a conqueror adopts the local language or script to ensure the circulation and acceptance of their currency.

Explanation Mahmud of Ghazni issued silver Dirhams from his mint at Lahore around 1028 CE featuring a bilingual legend: Arabic on the obverse and a Sanskrit translation in Brahmi script on the reverse.

Logical Breakup
Logic 1: The Sanskrit side featured the translation: 'Avyaktam-eka-Muhammada-Avatara' (The Unmanifest is one, Muhammad is the incarnation).
Logic 2: This was a pragmatic move to make the new currency understandable and acceptable to the local Hindu population of the conquered Punjab region.

Active Recall

Question

What does the Sanskrit legend on Mahmud's coins reveal about his administration?

Answer

It suggests a level of pragmatic local governance where Islamic theological concepts were translated into local terminology for administrative efficiency.

Core Insight

The use of Sanskrit by a ruler often associated with destruction highlights the complex nature of medieval political legitimacy.

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