Burhan Nizam Shah II, Silver Abbasi, 7.26g, probably struck to a Persian standard, Burhanabad Mint, Obv: Mint-name in circle; Arabic legend partially visible “Burhan Nizam Shah Khadim Ahl Bait Rasool Allah Abu al-Mughazi”, Rev: Shia version of the Shahada in Mihrab-shaped cartouche, names of Shia imams in the margins (unlisted in G&G). Extremely fine, extremely rare.
Burhan Nizam Shah II was the Sultan of Ahmadnagar from the Nizam Shahi dynasty and succeeded Murtaza Nizam Shah I. His short reign unfolded during a period of growing Mughal pressure on the Deccan Sultanates. He attempted to maintain Ahmadnagar’s independence amid internal factional struggles and rivalry among the powerful Deccan nobles. His reign ended with his death in 1595, after which the succession dispute further weakened the kingdom and eventually facilitated Mughal intervention. Coins of Burhan Nizam Shah II are very rare and are of considerable importance in documenting the brief and turbulent final phase of early Nizam Shahi rule.