A CARVED AGATE STONE SEAL, NORTHERN INDIA, 1748

This large circular seal belonged to Safdar Jang (1708-1754), viceroy (nawwab) under the Great Mughal Ahmad Shah Bahadur (1748-1754), and is dated to the latter’s first year as ruler. Safdar Jang came from Nishapur, like his father-in-law, uncle, and predecessor, Saadat Khan Burhan al-Mulk, the first nawwab in the newly founded northern Indian state of Awadh. Safdar Jang succeeded Saadat Khan Burhan al-Mulk in 1739. Although Awadh was actually an independent state under its viceroys, they recognized the Mughal rulers as their formal sovereigns to the end. The elegant floral decoration is typical of 18th-century Indian ornamentation, as is the reversed Nastaliq inscription. The overall impression is highly reminiscent of that of contemporary coins. Diam: 8.6 cm. / D: 0.7 cm.