South India and her Muhammadan Invaders c12.29

c12.29

Parties among the Muhammadans in the Empire.—Ever since the days of Jalalu-d-din there were three sections of Muhammadans who perhaps had not yet hardened into three distinct parties. In the reign of Sultan Muhammad they were getting to be distinct and held themselves aloof from each other, perhaps with some hostility of interests against one another. There were the hereditary Muhammadan noble families who, having been companions in arms with the members of the ruling dynasty, looked upon themselves generally as pillars of the empire. These were naturally men of influence, each one with his own particular following. Then there was the body of men, usually slaves, taken prisoners in war, or purchased, as Malik Kafur ‘hazardinari’ (he who cost 1,000 dinars). These were dependent entirely upon royal favour and could be dealt with more summarily by the sovereign for the time being. They were found to be efficient instruments of the monarchs against the influential nobles of the empire. Lastly, since the days of Jalalu-d-din Khilji a certain number of ‘Amirs of Hundred’ from the Mughal armies, had settled in the country. These were commanders of a hundred or more in the Mughal Army, who resolved to settle in the country becoming Mussalmans after the Mughal defeat. They were given various settlements, and provision was made for their maintenance by Jalalu-d-din. His successor dispossessed such of them as were within his reach, and perpetrated a massacre of a considerable number of them. Ever since this event these men perhaps considered themselves free from any allegiance to the monarch, and conducted themselves like the famous ‘Knights of the Empire’ of Europe. They were the cause of great trouble at this time though they conducted themselves well enough when they were treated with consideration.