History of the Khaljis, A.D. 1290–1320 c14.38

c14.38

"According to the ancient political ideal, which both the Hindus and the Muhammadans accepted, the Sovereign is the fountain of justice, and it is his duty to try cases personally in open court."¹⁶ The sultans of India like Iltutmish, Balban, 'Alāuddīn and Muhammad Tughlaq followed this ideal and personally administered justice in open court. The sultan himself constituted the chief court of appeal and everybody had access to him to demand and obtain justice. Iltutmish is said to have hung a chain of justice¹⁷ for people who sought redress and his reign was noted for jurists well versed in law.¹⁸ Ziyāuddīn Baranī praises sultan Ghiyāṣuddīn Balban for his love of justice and says that he never showed any partiality towards any of his subjects even if they were his own kith and kin. 'Alāuddīn was as relentless and unflinching in administering justice as Balban. Unfortunately no traveller like Ibn Baṭṭūṭah visited his court, and the contemporary historians do not describe the manner in which the sultan administered justice in open court.