History of the Qaraunah Turks in India c12.s1.21

c12.s1.21

The royal kitchen was an elaborate establishment and the Sultan's dinners were attended by distinguished men of all classes. The author of the *Masālik* was informed by Shaik Abu Bakr bin Khallāl Bazzi that 2,500 cows and 2,000 sheep besides fat horses and birds of all kinds were daily slaughtered in the royal kitchen. Learning, rank and wealth were all represented at his table, and the guests were sumptuously entertained. Both Ibn Batūṭah and the author of the *Masālik* speak of two kinds of dinners—the private and public. At his private meals were present his cousin Malik Fīruz and distinguished amirs like ‘Imad-al-Mulk Sartez, the *amir majlis* and those foreigners towards whom the Sultan was especially well-disposed. To these were added 2,000 learned lawyers with whom the Sultan discussed points of theology and jurisprudence. The royal dinners had their peculiar etiquette. When the Sultan wished to show special favour to any person present, he himself offered him a cake which he gratefully accepted and saluted the royal host with his right hand.