The Cambridge History of India, Vol. III: Turks and Afghans v3.c20.414

v3.c20.414

Some months later Muhammad returned from Kanauj, and on June 8, 1334, reached Tilpat. Ibn Batūtah was among those who went forth to meet him, and describes the king’s kindly reception of himself and others, his ceremonial entry into the capital, and the great honour shown to foreigners, whom he was ever solicitous to attract to his court. They were offered appointments, which few were prepared to accept, for they were, for the most part, mere beggars, who had visited India with the object of amassing wealth as quickly as possible and carrying it back to their own countries. Ibn Batūtah, to whose original grant two other villages were added and whose annual stipend was fixed at 12,000 *tangas*, was willing to work for his bread, but hesitated to accept the post of *qāzī* of Delhi on the ground of his ignorance of the language of the country and of his attachment to the Mālikī sect of the Sunnis whose practice differed somewhat from that of the Hanafī sect, whose religion was established in India. The king removed both obstacles by offering to appoint two assistants, who would perform the duties of the post while Ibn Batūtah enjoyed the stipend.