History of the Khaljis, A.D. 1290–1320 c16.s1.3

c16.s1.3

Wine is prohibited in Islam. Nevertheless wine drinking was perhaps the greatest vice of Muslim sultans and nobles in medieval times. 'Alāuddīn himself drank hard, and was advised by Malik 'Alāulmulk to stop drinking to excess and holding convivial parties if he wanted to be a successful monarch.⁹ It is not known as to what extent 'Alāuddīn followed the advice of his sagacious courtier, but with the successive outbreaks in his kingdom he determined to put a stop to the use of wine and other intoxicants. First he only ordered prohibition of the sale and purchase of wine, but afterwards prohibited the use of hemp, toddy (*bagni*) and other intoxicants as well.¹⁰ Gambling and dicing were also prohibited. In short ‘Alāuddīn prohibited all those things which encouraged convivial assemblies and in which people expressed themselves freely. There is no doubt that it was in such congregations that “evil politics” was discussed and conspiracies against king and government were hatched.¹¹