Muslim Slave System in Medieval India c14.15

c14.15

Ziyauddin Barani reckons regulations regarding sale of horses, slaves and quadrupeds under one category. T.P. Hughes quoting the *Hidayah* says that slaves, male and female, are treated merely as articles of merchandise, and very similar rules apply both to the sale of animals and bondsmen.²⁹ A milch buffalo cost 10-12 *tankahs*., a working girl was cheaper. The price of a good quality horse was 90-120 *tankahs*, that of a *ghulam* was 100 on an average. A handsome boy could be had for 20 to 30 *tankahs*.³⁰ It is therefore a matter of some satisfaction that under the Khaljis the value of humans in terms of price was not less than that of horses and buffaloes.