Twilight of the Sultanate c14.s6.28

c14.s6.28

Sikandar's sense of justice had earned him the praise of everyone, high and low.¹⁴³ "So great was Sultan Sikandar's justice", says 'Abdulla, "that no man could even look sternly at another." His Vakil Dariyā Khan Nūhānī was directed to remain all day, until the first watch of the night, on the seat of justice; the Qāzī with twelve of the 'Ulama were always present within the King's own palace. They tried all cases brought before the court of law and delivered judgements of the nature of which the Sultan received immediate information. Certain young slaves were specially appointed to work from morning until the close of the sittings to report to the King immediately on everything occurring in the law-courts.¹⁴⁴ The procedure of giving justice was short and swift. When a civil suit from a Saiyyad against Miān Malik, the jagirdar of pargana Arwal in Gaya district¹⁴⁵ took about two months, and no decision was arrived at, the Sultan got exasperated at the delay. He ordered Miān Bhua, who was inquiring into the case, not to allow any one to leave the court that day until the case was decided. The judges and the Vazīr's Dīvān pondered over the case "until the third watch of the night" when judgement was delivered against Miān Malik. He was made to confess his guilt and was deprived of his estate.¹⁴⁶ Even while the King was riding or hunting and some one brought a complaint, his grievance was immediately looked into. The king was stern but not vindictive. When a person had once been convicted of a crime, he never again gave him anything, but at the same time he did not cease to treat him with kindness.¹⁴⁷ He even ordered periodical releases from jail of persons not guilty of violent criminal offences.¹⁴⁸