History of the Khaljis, A.D. 1290–1320 c17.42

c17.42

But in those days there were no ration cards nor were people numbered or counted for obtaining grain in fixed quantities. It seems that whosoever went to the *bazār* was given a reasonable quantity of grain. Barani says that during the seasons of drought poor and helpless people crowded in the *bazārs* and sometimes got crushed to death. In such cases, where the officers were found derelict in discharging their duty, they, as well as the superintendent of the market, were taken to task by the king.¹⁸ The chronicler does not say much about the poor people or if there was any provision for the free distribution of grain in times of scarcity. It appears, however, that no such concessions were given to anybody as the prices of food grains were already sufficiently cheap. The system of rationing was a novel idea of 'Alāuddīn¹⁹, and Barani asserts that on account of the various regulations of 'Alāuddīn no famine occurred in Delhi even when there was drought and people thought famine to be unavoidable. At least in Delhi the people lived a life of contentment, undisturbed by any fear of scarcity.