History of the Qaraunah Turks in India c13.89

c13.89

were brought by force and made to say their prayers. The result of this severity was that men were seen in the streets of the town reciting verses from the Quran. The idea of enforced piety may sound strange to modern ears, but in the middle ages it was a recognised practice of states to govern the consciences and beliefs of their subjects. The Muslim state had not yet altogether thrown off the theocratic guise, although the present Sultan had considerably diminished the power of the clericals.