Life and Conditions of the People of Hindustan (1200–1550 A.D.) c5.s2.t1.110

c5.s2.t1.110

² Compare, *ibid*., 92, how Balban after the suppression of the rebellion of Tughral in Bengal makes a gift of the whole of the rebels' property to his son (who succeeds him as the Governor of Bengal) except the elephants and the treasure of gold. Compare D.R., 54; for the fact that before Sultan 'Ala-ud-din Khalji no person of the rank of an *amir* had kept an elephant. The exceptional case of Malik Ikhtyar-ud-din, the deputy of Bahram Shah, who stationed an elephant at the entrance of his residence (*vide* Raverty, 650), does not come within the prohibition, and was resented by other nobles. Firuz Tughluq made a special gift of six elephants to his brother, the Naib Barbak, who was so delighted with the honour that whenever he called for a royal audience the animals used to come in front of him in a procession (*vide* A., 429). For the Hindu custom, compare T.F., I, 107; J.H. 340. The white elephant was a rare possession. Compare Barbosa, II, 115; for parallel.