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Papers by Mohammad Abu Al Hasan

Four silver coins from four different mints (Sunargawn, Satgawn, Chatgawn and Khalifatabad) of th... more Four silver coins from four different mints (Sunargawn, Satgawn, Chatgawn and Khalifatabad) of three different independent Bengal sultans from 1334 to 1538 AD have been analyzed by X-Ray Diffraction and EDS. Attempt has been made to understand the pattern of variation in composition of the coins of different periods from different geographical region from east to west within Bengal. The results have been compared with a previously analyzed coin of Ghiyath Al-din Mahmud of Husayin Shahi dynasty. Results of this study show that there is a variation in silver content from 86.70 94.39%. Lead, possibly from natural source of silver varied from 0.053 0.447%. Aluminum probably intentionally added to the alloy varied from 0.52 3.36%. Other elements such as Copper, Gold, Silicon, Iron, Bismuth, Zinc, Germanium, Ruthenium, Barium, and Cesium were also found in the coins.

Journal of the Oriental Numismatic Society, 2020

The relation between currency management and mint towns is closely related. One of the most inter... more The relation between currency management and mint towns is closely related. One of the most interesting features of the Bengal Sultanate is the presence of various mint towns within its boundaries in time and space. Recent research has mentioned about 40 mint names inscribed on the sultanate coins of Bengal (M.R. Karim 2013: 322). More recently a researcher has listed 47 mint names on coins of the Bengal Sultanate (S.M.I. Alam 2015). Finding such a large number of mint names does not necessarily mean this number of mints actually existed. Bengal was not geographically large enough to justify such a large number of mint towns. The actual number has been estimated to be between 16 (Jahan 1953: 225) and 26 mints (Shahnawaz 1999: 37). In the sultanate period of Bengal, the day-today local need for silver or gold coins was very limited. Local people were comfortable with cowries to purchase their daily commodities (M. Alam 2014: 70). Silver or gold coins were used only for large transactions, internal and external trade, and for religious offering purposes. Although the demand for metal coins by the general inhabitants of Bengal during the sultanate period was limited, the volume of coins of that period, especially silver coins, found till today is immense. Hundreds and thousands of silver coins of the Bengal sultans are preserved in various museums around the world and in private collections, and still more continue to be unearthed from various locations in Bangladesh, West Bengal, Assam, and the Tripura region. The existence of various mint towns within Bengal appears to indicate the decentralised monetary policies of the Bengal sultans. In order to gain a clearer view of this, it is necessary to study the metallic composition of the coins issued by a single mint, from its first appearance to its last known issue. Without studying the coins of a mint thoroughly, it will not be possible to explore the metallic and technological characteristics of that mint. A thorough archaeo-metallurgical analysis of the coins of a mint that is geographically identified can also create an opportunity to judge the interrelations of metal flow, trade and political relations between the mint towns within the sultanate and with other kingdoms. An attempt has been made here to analyse the silver coins of Sunargaon mint as part of a series of metallurgical analyses of the silver coins of all the mints of the Bengal Sultanate. Silver coins were selected from their first appearance to the end of their production (on the basis of availability and date). In total, 22 coins of Sunargaon mint from a private collection have been analysed by WDXRF. On the basis of the silver percentages of the coins of each year, an attempt has been made to relate the reason for such percentages with contemporary political history, to find out possible sources of silver of that period, and also to make observations on the other elements found in our metallurgical analysis.

Journal of Islamic History and Culture of India, University of Calcutta, 2014

Four silver coins from four different mints (Sunargaon, Satgoan, Chatgoan & Khalifatabad) of thre... more Four silver coins from four different mints (Sunargaon, Satgoan, Chatgoan & Khalifatabad) of three different independent Bengal sultans from 1334 to 1538 AD. have been analyzed by XRD and EDXRF to get the compositions and percentage of the composed elements in the silver alloy. The attempt has been taken to understand the pattern of composition of elements in the coins of different period from different geographical region from east to west within Bengal. The all four coins has been tried to analyze comparatively along with a previously analyzed coin of Ghiyath Al-din Mahmud of Husain Shai dynasty. Result showing the percentage of silver is present in a range from 86.70-94.39%. Lead (0.053-0.447%) comes from natural source of silver. Aluminum (0.52-3.36%) is the element which is probably intentionally added to the alloy. Other elements such as Copper, Gold, Silicon, Iron, Bismuth, Zinc, Germanium, Ruthenium, Barium, and Cesium are also presented in the silver alloys of coins.

Journal of History and Civilization, Asian University of Bangladesh, 2015

An attempt has been made to analyze a silver coin of Independent Bengal Sultan Ghiyath Al-din Mah... more An attempt has been made to analyze a silver coin of Independent Bengal Sultan Ghiyath Al-din Mahmud shah (AH 939-945/ 1532-38 C.E.), issued on AH 933/ 1523 C.E. from 'Da' or Dar al-Darb mint by using two non-destructive method named X-Ray diffraction (XRD) and Energy-dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDS). Preliminary investigations suggest that the EDS method is more effective and is able to identify the trace elements of the silver alloys coin. Identified elements by EDS methods are Silver, Aluminum, Gold, Silicon, Copper, Iron, Led, Barium and Cesium. The results obtained so far also suggest that this study might allow an inference about mining, mining technology, trade rout and source of metals of the medieval Bengal.

Journal of Bengal Art, International Center for Study of Bengal Art (ICSBA), 2014

Journal of History and Civilization, Asian University of Bangladesh, 2013

Archaeometallurgy has become a significant brunch of Archaeology. Coins are the most important an... more Archaeometallurgy has become a significant brunch of Archaeology. Coins are the most important and frequently found artifacts of the sultani period of Bengal. The political history, chronology and geographical area of the kingdom of Bengal sultans have been exposed by the direct help of coin. But no archaeometallurgical analysis has been ever done before on any sultani coin of Bengal. Metal content of sultani coin can tell us much information such as economic, political and social history of that period by proper and in depth archaeometallurgical analysis. As we know nothing about the metallurgy of the coins of Bengal sultans, it can be an adventurous and exciting step to research on the unknown facts of sultani period of Bengal.