Twilight of the Sultanate c17.s9.4

c17.s9.4

Obviously he was judging things from his own standards. Bābur was no puritan. He was fond of good company, and believed in the philosophy of eat, drink and be merry. He always had a large table for guests. He ate heartily off porcelain plates¹⁷⁷ and drank lustily his *arak* and the "acceptable" Ghaznī wine¹⁷⁸ in the company of friends, while the story-teller (Qissā Khwān) was always at his beck and call.¹⁷⁹ Such a gay and liberal character could not be happy with the social life of the Indian cities. The Hindus did not inter-dine with the Muslims, and had scruples about inter-dining amongst themselves. During Ibrāhīm's reign nobleman was pitted against nobleman and the King was suspicious of every one. In such an atmosphere there could have been no "frank mixing together". Besides there was the tradition of not eating in the presence of the Sultan.¹⁸⁰ In these circumstances there need be no surprise if Bābur wrote: "They have no charm of friendly society, of frankly mixing together, or of familiar intercourse".