The Cambridge History of India, Vol. III: Turks and Afghans v3.c20.450

v3.c20.450

On July 22, 1342, Ibn Batūtah left Delhi. Favoured foreigner though he was his life had been twice in danger. In terror for his own life, he was sickened by the daily spectacle of the king's cruelty. 'Many a time,' he writes, 'I saw the bodies of the slain at his gate, thrown there. One day my horse shied under me and I saw something white on the ground and asked what it was, and my companions told me that it was the breast of a man who had been cut into three pieces. The king slew both small and great, and spared not the learned, the pious, or the noble. Daily there were brought to the council hall men in chains, fetters, and bonds, and they were led away, some to execution, some to torture, and some to scourging. On every day except Friday there was a gaol delivery, but on Friday the prisoners were not led out, and it was on that day only that they took their ease and cleansed themselves. May God preserve us from such calamities!'