Previous Year Question

The correct answer is Alauddin Masud Shah.

This question can easily create confusion because it involves two different Abbasid caliphs—al-Mustansir and al-Musta'sim.

The last Abbasid Caliph of Baghdad was al-Musta'sim. His reign lasted from 1242 to 1258 CE. In 1258, the Mongol army under Hulagu captured Baghdad, and the death of al-Musta'sim brought the Abbasid Caliphate at Baghdad to an end. The TDV Encyclopaedia of Islam identifies al-Musta'sim as the last Abbasid caliph, ruling from 1242 to 1258.

At almost exactly the same time, Alauddin Masud Shah ruled the Delhi Sultanate from 1242 to 1246 CE.

Coins of Alauddin Masud Shah carry the name of al-Musta'sim. Numismatic evidence includes a silver tanka bearing the legend referring to “al-Imam al-Musta'sim Amir al-Mu'minin.” An academic study published through Columbia University likewise states that al-Musta'sim's name appeared on Indian coinage during the reign of Ala al-Din Masud Shah.

Therefore, the name of the last Caliph of Baghdad, al-Musta'sim, first appeared on Delhi Sultanate coinage during the reign of Alauddin Masud Shah.

The confusion with Iltutmish arises because Iltutmish also placed the name of an Abbasid caliph on his coins. However, the caliph associated with Iltutmish's coinage was al-Mustansir, not the last caliph al-Musta'sim. A documented silver tanka of Iltutmish explicitly carries the name of Caliph al-Mustansir.

Al-Mustansir died in 1242, and he was succeeded by al-Musta'sim, the final Abbasid caliph of Baghdad.

Thus, the distinction is—

Iltutmish — al-Mustansir
Alauddin Masud Shah — al-Musta'sim, the last Caliph of Baghdad