Muslim Slave System in Medieval India c14.22

c14.22

As compared to Hindu slaves, who were often captured and sold in droves, the price of foreign slaves was high. They used to be Muslims, were always considered as talented, and in some cases essentially an item of luxury. Foreign slaves were purchased from merchants coming from lands beyond the river Sindh for as much as 500 to 1000 dinars. Both in the *Hidayah* and the *Fatawa-i-Alamgiri* the price of a slave repeatedly mentioned, although in the form of examples, is mostly 1000 dirhams.⁴⁴ For example Qutbuddin Aibak purchased two accomplished Turkish slaves for one lakh *jitals* or 2,000 *tankahs* (at 48-50 copper *jitals* to one silver *tankah*).