History of the Qaraunah Turks in India c4.2

c4.2

There are one or two other observations which might be made in this connection. The age in which Muhammad lived did not disapprove of such punishments. In the 14th century both in Europe and Asia rulers dealt with their offending subjects in a ruthless manner. The Egyptian Sultan Nāṣir, a contemporary of Muhammad, was an enlightened Prince, a patron of art and letters, who extended toleration to Christians but his ‘punishments were as barbarous and primitive as his methods of confiscation were sweeping and illegal.’ Another contemporary of Muhammad, Ghiyas-al-Din of Ma’bar, an erstwhile vassal, was a horrid ruffian whose atrocities shocked even Ibn Batūṭah, yet neither Barani nor those who came after him have condemned his conduct. Even in comparatively modern times the Mughals inflicted at times the most terrible punishments upon their