Twilight of the Sultanate c17.s3.28

c17.s3.28

Muslim saints were not necessarily ascetics.³⁵ Chronicles dealing with the fifteenth century history abound in love stories of *darweshes* and *faqīrs* (mendicants)³⁶ who seem to be quite in evidence both in the cities and villages.³⁷ They helped in creating a healthy social and political atmosphere. Respected by kings and commoners alike they played the part of peace-makers in times of war. Shaikh Sadruddīn interceded with Tīmūr on behalf of the Hindu ruler of Bhatnīr. Shaikh Ahmad helped in the release of many prisoners Tīmūr had taken in India. Similarly because of Shaikh Ilmuddīn's efforts peace was concluded between Iqbāl Khan and Bahrām Turkbachchā of Samana, and Saiyyad Shamsuddīn tried to bring about reconciliation between Dariyā Khan and Khawājā Bāyezīd, the son of Bhalūl. Similarly in the early years of the sixteenth century Shaikh Yūsuf Qattāl tried to stop the war between Islām Khan of Kara and Ibrāhīm Lodī. There are numerous other instances of their role as peace-makers in the fifteenth century.