The History of Fīrūz Shāh (ʿAfīf) 61.1

61.1

By the blessing of God favourable seasons and abundance of the necessaries of life prevailed in the reign of Firoz Shah, not only in the capital, but throughout his dominions. During the whole forty years of his reign there was no appearance of scarcity, and the times were so happy that the people of Dehli forgot the reign of 'Alau-d din, although no more prosperous times than his had ever fallen to the lot of any Muhammadan sovereign. 'Alau-d din took such pains to keep down the price of the necessaries of life, that his exertions have found a record in famous histories. To the merchants he gave wealth, and placed before them goods in abundance, and gold without measure. He showed them every kingly favour, and fixed on them regular salaries. In the reign of 'Aláu-d dín the necessaries of life were abundant through excellent management, but through the favour of God grain continued cheap throughout the reign of Fíroz Sháh, without any effort on his part. Grain was so cheap that, in the city of Dehlí, wheat was eight jítals a man, and gram and barley four jítals a man. A camp follower could give his horse a feed of ten sírs of corn (dalída) for one jítal. Fabrics of all kinds were cheap, and silk goods, both white and coloured, were of moderate price. Orders were given for the reduction of the price of sweetmeats, in unison with the general fall of prices.