The Cambridge History of India, Vol. III: Turks and Afghans v3.c3.7

v3.c3.7

In order to avoid, as far as possible, the use of foreign words the plural of the words *amīr* and *malik* has usually been translated by ‘nobles,’ which will not mislead the reader if it be remembered that there has never been a recognized hereditary aristocracy in Muslim Kingdoms. The ‘nobles’ were military officers, or officers of state with military rank, whose titles, though occasionally revived in favour of a deserving son, did not become hereditary until the crown became so weak that a son was able to assume his father’s office and title. In the chapters on the history of the Deccan the word ‘Foreigners,’ when spelt with a capital letter, denotes members of the Foreign party.