History of the Khaljis, A.D. 1290–1320 c14.6

c14.6

The sultan of Delhi, working upon the model of the Abbasid Caliphs, attempted to propagate and protect the true religion by conquest, by an efficient system of administration, and by extention of justice to high and low. Thus in theory, the powers of the sultan of Delhi were very extensive indeed. For his actions he was responsible only to God, whose viceregent on earth he supposed himself to be. The duty of his subjects was to obey him, and to suffer, if need be, without remonstrance. "Under such circumstances, the sultan of Delhi was in theory an unlimited despot, bound by no law, subject to no material check, and guided by no will except his own. The people had no rights only obligations; they only lived to carry out his commands."³