Life and Conditions of the People of Hindustan (1200–1550 A.D.) c5.s2.t1.99

c5.s2.t1.99

(c) *Sayaban, Naubat*, and *‘Alam*.—The use of a red canopy of state (or *sayaban*), of the triple band (*naubat*), and the royal standards (*‘alam*) was similarly the privilege of a monarch. Nobody could use them unless specially permitted by the Sultan as a conspicuous favour.⁵ This indulgence, too, was withdrawn at a later date when the Afghan nobles began to misuse the favours of the Sur Sultans. Salim Shah, for instance, made an explicit rule that the red canopy was not to be used by any noble under any circumstances.¹