PESHAWAR, Pakistan: A senior academic from the University of Peshawar has received one of the highest international honours in the field of numismatics after winning the prestigious Oriental Numismatic Society (ONS) Ashoka Prize 2025 in London for his pioneering research on the coinage of medieval Kashmir.
Prof. Gul Rahim Khan, a renowned archaeologist and numismatist, was presented with the award for the best research paper published in the Journal of the Oriental Numismatic Society (JONS) during 2025.
His winning study, titled Attribution of Coins to the Queens of the Utpala Dynasty of Medieval Kashmir (JONS 260), has been recognised for its significant contribution to the understanding of South Asian history.
The research sheds new light on the political and historical role of women in medieval Kashmir by identifying coins issued under the authority of queens from the Utpala dynasty.
The findings challenge long-held historical assumptions and provide fresh insight into female leadership during the period. According to Prof. Khan, ancient coins should be viewed as invaluable historical records rather than merely collectors’ items.
He said Numismatics is not merely about studying old coins or rare metals; coins are metallic documents that provide authentic evidence where written chronicles fall silent.
He added that attributing these coins to the queens of the Utpala dynasty helps historians reassess the socio-political status, governance and influence of female rulers in medieval Kashmir, whose contributions have often been overlooked in traditional historical accounts.
Prof. Khan has devoted more than three decades to teaching, archaeological research and academic leadership. During his distinguished career, he served as a senior professor in the Department of Archaeology at the University of Peshawar and earned a doctorate specialising in ancient coinage.
His academic work has also included research collaborations with the British Museum in London and projects supported by the Smithsonian Institution, further strengthening his international standing in the field of archaeology.
Widely recognised for his research on ancient monetary systems and trade networks across Gandhara and neighbouring regions, Prof. Khan has authored numerous scholarly publications that are frequently cited by researchers around the world.
READ ALSO: Pakistani Scholar Honoured at Shanghai International Art Exhibition
In addition to his work in numismatics, he led extensive excavations at the historic Hayatabad site in Peshawar, uncovering evidence of early urban industrial activity and reinforcing the city’s importance as a major centre of ancient civilisation.
According to Dawn, reflecting on the future of archaeological research in Pakistan, Prof. Khan stressed the need to invest in the next generation of scholars.
“Pakistan’s rich soil holds invaluable chapters of world heritage. International honours such as the Ashoka Prize demonstrate that our academic research meets global standards, but we must continue training young scholars to preserve and interpret this heritage using modern scientific methodologies,” he said.
The international recognition highlights both Prof. Khan’s longstanding contribution to archaeological scholarship and the growing global acknowledgement of Pakistan’s research in the fields of archaeology and numismatics.
