Twilight of the Sultanate c17.s6.14

c17.s6.14

In spite of the variety of dresses for Hindus and Muslims, a common type of Indian dress had emerged by the fifteenth century. The Hindu turban was quite popular among the Muslims of the upper classes, and the Hindu aristocracy adopted from the Muslim nobility the use of tight-fitting drawers and loose coat.⁸³ Right from the kings and the nobles at the top, down to the humblest citizens, the Muslims had become thoroughly Indianized. The costly royal dresses, the gilded and studded swords and daggers, the parasols (*chhatra*) of various colours etc. were all typically Indian paraphernalia of royal pomp and splendour. The use of rings, necklaces, ear-rings and other ornaments by men was also due to Indian influence; they are forbidden under Islamic law. Similarly tight-fitting cloak for men and tight-fitting trousers for women (often worn underneath the *lahnga*) were adopted by the Rajpūts from their Muslim neighbours.⁸⁴ It may also be pointed out that although European trousers have become common in India, the older male and female dresses have survived to this day.