Twilight of the Sultanate c17.s8.16

c17.s8.16

Growth of industry necessitated facilities for the transport of merchandise from the manufacturing centres to Delhi and other important cities. Although roads and other means of communication were not very satisfactory, yet for the then traffic and volume of trade they served tolerably well. Agricultural products were transported from the fields to the markets in the cities in bullock-carts. Grain was also transported and sold by roving-merchants (*banjārās*) on mules in places which were not easily accessible. Big merchants with their merchandise generally moved only in large convoys.¹³⁸ King's officials with treasures also travelled in convoys and under proper escort.¹³⁹ Transport between cities and within the city was provided by coolies, horses, bullock-carts and *dola* or *doli*. In the days of Fīrōz Tughlaq hire for a bullock-cart was 4 to 6 *jītals* and 12 *jītals* for a horse. A *dola* which was carried by *Kahārs* cost half a *tankā*. In the fifteenth century Ekka and Tonga¹⁴⁰ are also mentioned, but for long journeys the horse was the common conveyance.¹⁴¹ A footman's services could be obtained for five *tankās* a month,¹⁴² and a man could travel from Delhi to Agra for one *bahlolī* which sufficed for him, his horse and his small escort during the journey.¹⁴³ A large number of people were engaged on this work. Their trade was brisk and they lived happily.¹⁴⁴