Paramaras of Malwa, Mahālakadeva (Mahalugi / Mahlak Deo), (13th Century AD) Silver Dramma, 1.92 gms, Obv. Four-armed Lakshmi seated facing, cross-legged, holding attributes; stylized in the late Paramara fabric, Rev. Devanagari legend in three lines ‘Shri Ma / ha lu gi / Deva’, extremely fine, Of the highest rarity, only the second known specimen, Historically significant and unpublished until very recently, exceedingly rare. Note: Mahālakadeva, recorded in contemporary Persian chronicles as “Mahlak Deo,” was the final sovereign of the Paramara dynasty of Malwa. Historically, his reign was documented exclusively through literary sources, most notably Amir Khusrau’s Tarikh-i ‘Alai and the Jain hagiography Nabhi-nandana-jinoddhara-prabandha (1336 AD). These textual traditions chronicle the twilight phase of Paramara resistance against the imperial expansion of the Delhi Sultanate under Sultan Alauddin Khalji. The Sultanate Invasion and Fall of Malwa In 1305 CE, Alauddin Khalji dispatched a formidable imperial army to subjugate the Malwa region. Mahālakadeva, seconded by his powerful prime minister (pradhan) Gogadeva (Goga), mobilized a massive force comprising cavalry and infantry to counter the invasion. Amir Khusrau records that the Paramara forces suffered a catastrophic defeat, resulting in heavy casualties and the death of Gogadeva on the battlefield. Following this rout, Mahālakadeva retreated to the strategic hill-fortress of Mandu to make a final stand. The stronghold was ultimately breached by the Sultanate forces under the command of Ayn al-Mulk Multani. Mahālakadeva was slain on 24 November 1305 while attempting to escape, effectively terminating Paramara sovereignty in Malwa and leading to its annexation.