Life and Conditions of the People of Hindustan (1200–1550 A.D.) c5.s2.t1.56

c5.s2.t1.56

Among other officials in charge of domestic attendance: The *Sar-abdar* (the predecessor of the *aftabchi* of the Mughals) looked after the washing and toilet arrangements of the Sultan, and followed him with his water keg (*karauti*) when the monarch went out²: the *Kharitadar* looked after the royal writing case; the *Tahwildar* after the purse³; the *Chashnigir* (the predecessor of the *Bakawal* of the Mughals) supervised the royal kitchen, and personally served and attended to the royal dinner, returning to the kitchen with the leavings⁴; the *Sar-Jamadar* took charge of the royal wardrobe and was responsible for the sartorial equipment of the monarch⁵; the *Tashtdar* attended the Sultan with ewer and washing-basin and the *Saqi-i-khas* with wines and other drinks; the *Mash'aldar* similarly supervised the lighting arrangements of the palace, and the provision of lamps, candlesticks, lamp-stands and candelabra, etc⁶. The number of the officials looking after every minute detail of domestic attendance is considerable, but these will suffice to give a fair idea⁷. All these functionaries had a regular staff of subordinates and menials to help them in the discharge of their duties.