Muslim Slave System in Medieval India c15.17

c15.17

Sale of a *mudabbir*, an *am-walad* or a *mokatib*, is null.⁴³ A man purchases a slave. He finds some defect in him and beats and tortures him. In case the signs of torture are visible on his person the buyer is not entitled to return him to the seller and receive compensation. If he flogs or slaps him two-three times but there are no signs of such infliction on his body he will have the right to return the slave to the seller.⁴⁴ A *ghulam* or *bandi* who has absconded is not to be purchased at any cost but has to be restored to the master. An absconded slave may, in every instance, be reclaimed by the proprietor.⁴⁵ There is a whole set of rules detailed in *Kitab-ul-Abaq* determining action about absconded slaves.⁴⁶ Repeated mention of such rules leads to the inference that flight of slaves was not uncommon.⁴⁷