The History of Fīrūz Shāh (ʿAfīf) 73: Fifteenth Mukaddama. — Establishment of a House of Charity and a Hospital.

73

Sultan Firoz founded an establishment (diwán-i khairát) for the promotion of marriages. Many needy Musulmans were distressed at having marriageable daughters, for whom they could provide no marriage portion. * * * Notice was given that any man having a marriageable daughter might apply at the diwán-i khairát and state his case and his poverty to the officers of that establishment, * * * who, after due enquiry, might fix an allowance of fifty tankas for the first class of recipients, thirty for the second, and twenty-five for the third. * * * People, small and great, flocked to the city from all parts of the country, and received grants for purchasing housekeeping requisites for their daughters. * * *
The Shifá-khána, or Hospital, also called, Sihhat-khána. * * * The Sultán, in his great kindness and humanity, established a hospital for the relief of the sick and afflicted, whether natives (áshná) or strangers. Able physicians and doctors were appointed to superintend it, and provision was made for the supply of medicines. The poor afflicted went to the hospital and stated their cases. The doctors duly considered and applied their skill to the restoration of health. Medicines, food, and drinks were supplied at the expense of the treasury. * * *
When the Sultán founded these institutions for the public benefit he settled some rich and well cultivated villages upon them, to provide for their expenses. Allowances were also granted to learned men and Kurán readers. The author has understood from the best authority that the sum of thirty-six lacs of tankas out of the revenues of the kingdom were appropriated to the payment of wages (idrár), and that 4,200 afflicted persons received these monthly allowances. * * *