Twilight of the Sultanate c17.s7.39

c17.s7.39

Muslims used to dine together, often out of the same plate, but always on the same board (*Dastar Khwān*). For this reason it was particularly necessary for a Muslim to know good table etiquette. Shaikh Nizāmuddīn Auliyā gave a long discourse to his disciples about observing good manners while eating.¹¹⁸ Inter-dining facilitated arrangements for big dinners where a thousand people could eat, not only at the mansions of the nobles,¹¹⁹ but also in the Khanqāhs of the saints.¹²⁰ The custom also certainly developed feelings of brotherhood and equality among the Muslims.