History of the Khaljis, A.D. 1290–1320 c20.s2.8

c20.s2.8

In short, the new king inaugrated an era of reaction. Most of the regulations of 'Alāuddīn fell into disuse. The strict vigilance of the conduct of the people was given up. They could now afford to be effluent with impunity, and naturally, began to amass wealth. Market regulations ceased to be enforced. The constant dread of the spies, the impossibility of obtaining favour or mercy and the fear of barbarous punishment no longer haunted the minds of the people. The dread of the king's authority left the breasts of the people and they ran after pleasures, unbridled. Since the youthful monarch was always drowned in pleasure and dissipation, the people in general also followed in his footsteps. The demand for beautiful girls and beardless boys, says Barani, made them a scarce commodity, and their prices rose to 500 and sometimes even to 2,000 *tankahs*.²³ In spite of the fact that Qutbuddīn did not rescind the restriction on drinks, wine was fearlessly smuggled, secretly distilled and freely drunk. Prices of grain and cloth rose high and the Multānī merchants rejoiced at the death of 'Alāuddīn.²⁴ They now sold articles at rates highly profitable to them, and cheated the public in every way.²⁵ Bribery and corruption were openly indulged in, and it was a red letter day for clerks and Munshis while the wages of labour increased fourfold.²⁶ With the reduction in the rate of land tax the lot of the zamīndārs and peasants was automatically improved. In contrast to the days of 'Alāūddīn, now they ate better food and wore better clothes.²⁷ To sum up, the kindness and liberality of the king as well as his own easy habits made the people happy and the agony of the days of 'Alāūddīn began to be dispelled from their minds.