Life and Conditions of the People of Hindustan (1200–1550 A.D.) c5.s4.t2.2

c5.s4.t2.2

A noble usually began his life as a slave or a retainer of the Sultan or of another noble, and proceeded on a graduated scale of promotion until a suitable opportunity brought to him the dignities of an office, and the rank of an *Amir*. Henceforth he was treated as a noble and his social position, as well as that of his descendants, was secure for ever afterwards. There was no valid rule of succession to the throne or any peculiar dignity which is associated with an ancient ruling house; there was not even a law of primogeniture, a fact which made the occupant of the throne very suspicious of the growing influence and power of a noble and his assumption of an independent attitude. A noble had no other choice except that of living as all other subjects of the Sultan or as a rebel. Thus in comparison with the privileges of their western compeers, or nearer home those of Rajput chiefs, the privileges of the nobles of Delhi fell short in one important respect, namely, that the State did not encourage their independence or even allow their titles and emoluments to descend to their children. Their dignities could be snatched away from them during their lifetime, and were always at the mercy of the reigning Sultan. This did not, however, affect the social importance¹ of a noble or of his descendants.