The History of Fīrūz Shāh (ʿAfīf) 18

18

Eighteenth Mukaddama. — Sultan Firoz adopts a Khutba, including the names of former Sultans for the public prayers of Fridays and Festivals. Account of the edicts issued by him.
1. On the names used in the khutba. — It had been a rule among the Sultans of Dehli that the name of the reigning monarch only was mentioned in the prayers of Sabbaths and Festivals, and no reference was made to former Sultans. When Sultan Firoz came to the throne, they were about to follow the same rule, and to mention his name only in the khutba ; but he disapproved of the omission of former kings, and ordered that a khutba should be said first in the names of former kings, and then one in which his own name should be mentioned. In accordance with this decree, the Sultans in the following list were specially selected to be named in the khutba : — 1. Sultan Shahabu-d din Muhammad Sam ; 2. Shamsu-d din Altamsh ; 3. Nasiru-d din Mahmud ; 4. Ghiyasu-d din Balban ; 5. Jalalu-d din Firoz ; 6. 'Alau-d din Muhammad Khilji ; 7. Kutbu-d din Mubarak ; 8. Ghiyasu-d din Tughlik Sháh; 9. Sultán Muhammad; 10. Fíroz Sháh. Two names were selected to be mentioned after that of Sultán Fíroz Sháh; viz., 1. Muhammad bin Fíroz Sháh; 2. 'Aláu-d dín Sikandar Sháh; and till the end of the reign these names were mentioned in the prayers. * * *
2. Account of the edicts on matters of royalty.—Sultán Fíroz Sháh issued twenty-one edicts (sikka) and thirty-one instructions ('alámat) upon matters of royalty. The author here inserts their titles for the benefit of his readers. 1. On the khutba; 2. On the sandal-wood throne; 3. On the imperial cornelian signet, etc., etc.