Northwestern Workshop Examines Mughal Empire Coinage
Professor A. Azfar Moin shared research on sacred symbolism found in Islamic currency at a recent Evanston event.
Updated on Oct. 16, 2026 in Islam
Northwestern University's Language of Islam group hosted a workshop on Thursday evening featuring research into the symbolism of Mughal Empire currency. Scholar A. Azfar Moin presented findings on how rulers integrated religious references into coins.
Why it matters
The event aimed to build scholarly capacity and public interest in studying the history of Islam and the Muslim world. By analyzing artifacts, researchers hope to deepen understanding of the political and religious messaging within the Mughal Empire.
The workshop analyzed material sourced from major international institutions, including the British Museum and the Ashmolean Museum. Researchers noted that Mughal rulers strategically placed their names below references to Allah, Muhammad, and the Caliph.
The players
A. Azfar Moin
He is a professor at the University of Texas at Austin who studies the intersection of religion and political power.
Language of Islam
This is a student-led research group at Northwestern University focused on expanding academic interest in Muslim history.
The details
Graduate students participated in the workshop, which utilized a range of historical artifacts including plaques, paintings, and tombs to contextualize the coins. The discussion also highlighted the Quranic inscriptional program featured on the Taj Mahal, which was commissioned in 1631.
Timeline
1631: The Mughal Empire commissioned the Taj Mahal.
October 15, 2026: Northwestern University hosted the workshop.
Culture Shift
This research follows a pattern set by the Taj Mahal's 1631 architectural design to reinforce religious authority. Scholars are increasingly examining how material objects, rather than just texts, define the legacy of Islamic empires.
Local students and community members interested in Middle Eastern history can engage with future events hosted by the group. These workshops provide rare access to material research typically reserved for specialized museum archives.
The takeaway
Understanding ancient coinage provides a window into the political legitimacy and religious identity of past empires. Readers interested in history can look for similar upcoming lectures on campus to deepen their knowledge of global cultural heritage.
Further reading
To learn more about academic discussions on religious history, explore the Islam section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Daily Northwestern.
