History of the Qaraunah Turks in India c11.47

c11.47

wished to play the rôle of a conqueror anxious to extend his influence to distant countries. So punctilious was he in maintaining the etiquette of the court that he allowed no one to appear in his presence without socks. Ibn Batūṭah, who was sockless, relates that although several Muhammadans were present, he had to procure socks from a Hindu, whose generosity agreeably surprised him. The Moorish traveller urged the Sultan to send an expedition to the Maldive Islands. An order was issued that ships should be equipped and presents for the queen of the Maldives and robes of honour for her nobles and ministers should be prepared. He ordered three vessels to be filled with alms which were to be distributed among the poor and the indigent. But the project was abandoned, for the chief admiral Khwajah Sarlak expressed the opinion that it was not possible to sail for the Maldives until the expiry of three months. Ghiyas-al-Din was a ruffian utterly devoid of human feelings. The Moor who was related to him and whom he received with great courtesy relates the horrible cruelties which were practised under his orders, and observes that "such atrocities and disgusting brutalities I have never witnessed practised by any king and it was because of his cruelties that he met his early doom." Neither age nor sex was spared, and the massacre in cold blood of women and children excited so much disgust that more than once Ibn Batūṭah had to withdraw, for he could not bear to see such terrible sights. The hands and feet of these hapless victims were chopped off, and their heads were fastened on to the posts to satisfy this Muslim Caligula of the South.