Life and Conditions of the People of Hindustan (1200–1550 A.D.) c5.s2.t1.113

c5.s2.t1.113

The tradition of hoarding treasure was very old in India. Every Hindu ruler scrupulously preserved what his predecessor had bequeathed to him, accumulated treasures of his own during his reign, and left this added wealth to his successor, which grew into fabulous quantities and was usually expropriated by a foreign invader.⁵ These royal treasures and the hoards in the temples provided an irresistible temptation to the greedy and strong Muslim invader from the North-west. The tradition remained unaltered during the Muslim period and curiously enough was also scrupulously observed by the Muslim Sultans.¹ The reasons for hoarding gold were clear. The gold bullion was handy to convey anywhere in times of insecurity and danger, and useful in periods of famine or other national calamities. With the help of treasure a monarch could not only maintain his rule over people, but could also rescue himself and them from difficulties and disasters.² The only unfortunate monarch who showed indulgence in matters of hoarding treasures for himself and in prohibiting hoarding on the part of other, and permitted his nephew to appropriate part of the Deccan treasure, lost his life and throne by neglecting this commonsense rule of practice and hallowed royal tradition of ancient date.