Life and Conditions of the People of Hindustan (1200–1550 A.D.) c5.s2.t1.71

c5.s2.t1.71

To form an opinion about the Sultan's private establishments and the nature of his occupations, let us see what the *Masalik-ul-absar* has to say about Muhammad Tughluq. 'At the cost of this prince', says the author, 'there are maintained 1,200 physicians : 10,000 falconers who ride on horseback and carry birds trained for hawking ; 300 beaters go in front and put up the game ; 3,000 dealers in articles required for hawking accompany him when he goes out hunting; 500 table companions dine with him. He supports 1,200 musicians excluding his slave musicians to the number of 1,000 who are more especially charged with the teaching of music, and 1,000 poets of the three languages, Arabic, Persian and Indian (meaning some Prakrit). A repast is served at which 20,000 men are present — Khans, Maliks, Amirs, Sipahsalars, and other officers. At his private meals, *i.e.*, at dinner and supper, the Sultan receives learned lawyers to the number of 200, who share meals with him and converse with him upon learned topics'. According to one informant who based his account on the report of the royal cook, 2,500 oxen, 2,000 sheep, and other animals and birds were daily slaughtered for the supplies of the royal kitchen.²