Life and Conditions of the People of Hindustan (1200–1550 A.D.) c5.s1.75.1

c5.s1.75.1

To give a form to their religious functions, the Sultans of Delhi instituted a number of fictitious ceremonials. They created a few religious offices like that of the *Shaikh-ul-Islam* and the *Sadr-us-sudur* with which we are not concerned here. Among the ceremonials : the form of the religious *Bai'at* (oath of fealty to the *Imam* or the religious head of Islam) was maintained ; the reign of the monarch opened with a consequential change in the bidding prayer (*khutba*) which was solemnly read from the pulpit of the principal mosque, and an appropriate legend was inscribed on the new coinage.¹ The Sultan usually appointed a *Mashaf-bardar* (Qur'an-bearer) who carried about the Holy Book with solemnity and becoming dignity.² Handsome endowments were made for religious institutions and the study of Muslim theology, and several mosques were constructed. The Sultan attended the Friday prayers, and in any case, joined the congregation in the *Idgah* for the two annual prayers with great pomp and ceremony.³ In other respects, he avoided giving provocation and offence to the susceptibilities of the people by an open breach of the Muslim law. For instance, the excessive number of his wives and concubines was confined to the closed Haram, and the drinking of wine was done in private except on very exceptional occasions.