Twilight of the Sultanate c14.s6.16

c14.s6.16

The lavish praise of the chroniclers indicates that the Sultan’s few deficiencies and hypocritical ways were surely overlooked. Sikandar Shāh drank wine secretly in order “to keep himself in health”.¹³⁵ His piety had also to be compromised with his love of music. He had many accomplished musicians in his palace.¹³⁶ *Shahnāi* was his favourite instrument, and was played in his presence whenever he so desired. It is said that when he was dying, he paid expiation money for drinking wine, shaving his beard and for occasional neglect of *Rozā* and *Namāz*.¹³⁷