The Legacy of Muslim Rule in India c9.s3.7

c9.s3.7

A few more instances of corruption from the Sultanate period may be mentioned to appreciate the depth and extensivity of the malady. During the reign of Firoz Shah the profession of soldiers was made hereditary. Also old men were not retired on compassionate ground and efficiency of the army naturally suffered. Over and above this, corruption was galore in the Diwan-i-Arz. Horses of little value were brought to the Diwan and were passed as serviceable, obviously by greasing the palms of the clerks. In this reference a story narrated by Shams Siraj Afif is worth citing. Once the Sultan overheard a soldier complaining to a friend that because he did not have the necessary money to pay as bribe, he had not been able to get a fitness certificate for his horse at the Diwan-i-Arz. The Sultan inquired how much was needed, and the soldier said that if he had a gold *tankah* he could get a certificate for his horse. The Sultan ordered his purse-bearer to give a *tankah* to the soldier. The trooper went to the Diwan-i-Arz with the *ashrafi* and paying it to the clerk concerned got the certificate.⁴⁶ He then returned and thanked the Sultan. Encouragement to corruption from the head of the State was a matter of concern. But what else could Afif say but that Firoz Shah was a very kind-hearted and affectionate Sultan!