Muntakhab al-lubab 39: Season of Scarcity.

39

[vol. ii. p. 123.] Unfavourable seasons and want of rain, combined with war and movements of armies, had made grain very scarce and dear. Many districts lay entirely waste, and crowds of people from all parts made their way to the capital. Every street and bazar of the city was choked with poor helpless people, so that it was difficult for the inhabitants to move about. An Imperial order was issued, that in addition to the regular bulghdr-khdnas, where raw and cooked grain was given away, ten more langar-khdnas (free houses of entertainment), should be opened in the city, and twelve bulghdr-khdnas in the suburbs and among the tombs, and careful men were appointed to superintend them. Instructions were also issued for the amirs to make provision for langar distributions, and orders were given for the remission of taxes on (the transport of) grain, with the view of favouring the gathering of stores.