Adli

The Adli is a historical silver and gold coin from the Sultanate of Delhi, which was minted in silver between 725 AH (1325 AD) and 727 AH and in gold until 732 AH. It is one of the most important numismatic artefacts from the reign of Sultan Muhammad bin Tughluq, one of the most remarkable and controversial rulers in medieval Indian history. The name ‘Adli’ is derived from the sultan’s throne name – Abu al-Muzaffar Muhammad bin Tughluq Shah Adil – whereby “Adil” stands for ‘the just’ and appears as a programmatic statement on the coins themselves in Arabic script.
In a numismatic context, the Adli is a fascinating example of the technical sophistication and political symbolism of Islamic coinage in medieval India. The coins were minted to a high standard, mostly with artistically calligraphed inscriptions that included the ruler’s name, title and blessings. Particularly striking is the stylistic clarity of the lettering, which served not only as a means of payment but also as a vehicle for political messages. The Adli coins bear witness to Sultan Tughluq’s attempt to establish strong central rule and consolidate control over trade, the economy and the monetary system.
The silver Adlis were only minted for a very short time, which makes them particularly rare and collectible from a numismatic point of view. The gold Adlis, on the other hand, were continued for a slightly longer period until 732 AH and reflect the Sultan’s economic ambition to establish a uniform and stable coinage system throughout the empire. Their distribution shows that these coins circulated mainly in the north of the subcontinent, where the sultanate had its centres of power. Some specimens also bear the name of the mint, which makes it possible to locate them geographically and makes them particularly valuable for scientific numismatics.
The coins of the Adli series are an excellent example of the combination of aesthetics, power and economic stability in the Islamic-influenced coinage history of India. For numismatists, they are not only an art-historical rarity, but also a window into the political ideology and currency reforms of the 14th century. Their rarity, the precision of their minting and their historical significance make the Adli coins a prized collector’s item and an indispensable part of any collection of Islamic or South Asian coins.