The Cambridge History of India, Vol. III: Turks and Afghans v3.c20.453

v3.c20.453

On his return to Delhi in 1344 Muhammad received Hāji Sa‘īd Sarsarī, the envoy sent from Egypt by the Abbasid al-Hākim II in response to his prayer for pontifical recognition. The envoy was received with the most extravagant honours, and the arrogant Muhammad’s self-abasement before him verged on the grotesque. The king, all the great officers of state, the Sayyids, holy and learned men, and all who could pretend to any importance went forth from Delhi to meet the envoy, who bore the Caliph’s decree of recognition and a robe of honour for Muhammad. The king walked several bowshots barefoot as the envoy approached, and, after placing the decree and the robe of honour on his head in token of reverence, kissed his feet several times. Triumphal arches were erected in the city and alms were lavishly distributed. On the first Friday after the envoy’s arrival the long discontinued Friday prayers were recited with great pomp and the names of such previous rulers of India as had failed to secure the formal recognition of one of the Abbasid Caliphs were omitted from the formal sermon. The most exaggerated respect was paid to the envoy. His utterances were recorded and repeated as though they had been inspired and, as Baranī says, ‘Without the Caliph’s command the king scarcely ventured to drink a draught of water.’ The festivals of Islam were now again observed, the legends on the coins were corrected, and Muhammad sent Hājī Rajab Burqa‘ī to Egypt as envoy to the Caliph.