History of the Qaraunah Turks in India c12.121

c12.121

³⁵ This useful office was created by Khalifah Mahdi and has existed ever since in Islamic countries. The Muhatsib went through the city accompanied by a detachment of his subordinates to see that the police orders were duly carried out. He examined the weights and measures and suppressed nuisances. According to the Masālik the Muhatsib held a village in Jagir which yielded an income of eight thousand tankahs. Paris MS. The more probable figure seems to be eight hundred given by Elliot (III, p. 579). The office of the Muhatsib or prefect of police existed under the Khalifahs, and its functions are described fully by Kremer in his Orient under the Caliphs (p. 292).