History of the Khaljis, A.D. 1290–1320 c14.48

c14.48

In the early years of Sultan ‘Alāuddīn's reign Sadr Jahān Sadruddīn was appointed the Qāzī-i-Mumālik or the Chief Justice. Although he was not very much renowned for his learning, his experience was so wide and his judgement so keen that none dared to resort to cunning or falsehood in his presence.²³ After him Qāzī Jalāluddīn Balvachī was appointed naīb Qāzī, while Maulana Ziyāuddīn of Bayana, who was the Qazī-i-Lashkar, was appointed to the office of Sadr Jahān. Qazi Ziyāuddīn, in spite of his erudition, did not possess the dignity required of the chief judge of the capital. But the last Qāzī, Maulana Hamīduddīn Multānī, whom ‘Alāuddīn appointed in the closing days of his reign, was altogether worthless. Baranī remarks that the judgeship of Delhi, the capital city, which was a very responsible office to be entrusted only to a learned and capable person, was given to a "servant" of the sultan's household.²⁴ The king appointed Hamīduddīn in consideration of his past services, unmindful of the fact that such a post should be given only to a man who was incorruptible, and who possessed qualities of simplicity and renunciation. Naturally with Hamīduddīn at its head the judiciary lost its lustre and prestige. Prominent among the provincial Qāzīs were Saiyyad Tājuddīn of Badaon and his nephew Saiyyad Ruknuddīn of Kara. Baranī, who knew both of them personally, praises them for their inspiring personality, their dignified bearing and their other excellent qualities.