تحفة النظار في غرايب الامصار وعجايب الاسفار 10.7
English (machine translation) 10.7
- Language
- English
10.7.1
The amīr of Multān is Quṭb al-Mulk, one of the great and excellent amīrs. When I came before him he rose to me, shook my hand and seated me beside him. I presented him with a mamlūk, a horse and some raisins and almonds, which is among the greatest gifts given to them, because it does not grow in their country but is brought from Khurāsān.
10.7.2
This amīr sat on a large dais spread with carpets, and near him was the qāḍī, named Sālār, and the preacher, whose name I do not remember. To his right and left were the commanders of the troops, the men-at-arms stood at his head, and the troops were reviewed before him.
10.7.3
There were many bows there, and when someone came who wished to be enrolled in the army as an archer, he was given one of those bows to draw. They vary in strength, and his pay is set according to how far he draws. Whoever wishes to be enrolled as a horseman: there is a target-drum set up, and he gallops his horse and strikes it with his lance. There is also a ring hanging from a low wall; he gallops his horse until he comes level with it, and if he lifts it off with his lance, that counts as good among them. Whoever wishes to be enrolled as a mounted archer: there is a ball placed on the ground, and he gallops his horse and shoots at it. His pay is set according to the accuracy he shows in this.
10.7.4
When we came before this amīr and greeted him as we have described, he ordered that we be lodged in a house outside the city belonging to the disciples of the devout shaykh Rukn al-Dīn, who was mentioned earlier. Their custom is not to give hospitality to anyone until the Sultan's order comes to host him.
Linked texts (1)
- تحفة النظار في غرائب الأمصار وعجائب الأسفار — Ibn Baṭṭūṭa, Arabic