Muslim Slave System in Medieval India c14.4

c14.4

The majority of Indian slaves comprised captives made during wars. These slaves formed property of the State. At the time of Muhammad bin Qasims invasion of Sindh the head of the State was the Caliph and prisoners taken in Sindh were regularly forwarded to him. Kufi, the author of the *Chachnama*, rightly sums up the position. Out of the total catch, four-fifths was the share of the soldiers, what remained of the cash and slaves was sent to Hajjaj (the Governor of Iraq ) for onward transportation to the Khalifa.³ In such a situation any special acquisition had to be paid for in cash. Muhammad bin Qasim who wished to possess Raja Dahirs wife Ladi, avers the *Chachnama*, purchased her out of the spoils, before making her his wife.⁴ But the price he paid is not mentioned. Similarly, when Hajjaj sent 60,000 slaves captured in India to the Caliph Walid I (705-715 C.E.), the latter sold some of those female slaves of royal birth,⁵ but again their price has not been specified.