Muslim Slave System in Medieval India c15.11

c15.11

Every slave girl could be used as a concubine. As quoted from the *Hedayah* earlier, the object in the purchase of a female slave, is cohabitation and generation of children. Therefore for our purpose words like slave girl (*bandi*) and concubine should be considered synonymous.²³ In a *bandi* physical fitness, correct menstruation and absence of physical and mental defects were the main considerations at the time of purchase. Odour in the mouth or armpits of a *bandi* was considered a defect as she was meant to be kissed and caressed, but not so in a *ghulam* who was required to do manual work.²⁴ Bernard Lewis quotes many Muslims who describe blacks as ugly, stupid, dishonest, frivolous and foul-smelling and black women with the same epithets - the blacker they are, the uglier their faces there is no pleasure to be got from them, because of the smell of their armpits and the coarseness of their bodies. Similarly, a blind, half-blind, squinted, deaf or dumb *bandi* or one having extra or less fingers was considered defective. If the breasts are large or vagina wide or baggy (which does not give requisite pleasure), whether in a *bakira* (virgin) or a *taiba* (non-virgin), the purchaser has a right to return her to the seller and claim refund of money.²⁵ A desire to do a little make-up, speak or walk daintily is excusable, but too much sexiness, deliberate lowering of voice, blandishments and walking with a provocative gait or swaying the hips are definite defects in a slave girl.²⁶ In short, whoredom and bastardy is not desirable in a slave girl; it was not considered so bad in a *ghulam* unless it was so excessive as to interfere with his normal duties.²⁷