Life and Conditions of the People of Hindustan (1200–1550 A.D.) c5.s4.t2.25

c5.s4.t2.25

As to the relative position of the various ranks of nobles: the *Khans*, as has been said occupied the highest rank. Next to them were the *Maliks* who were usually raised from among the *Amirs* on certain occasions, as for instance the installation of a new monarch, or on the discharge of some very conspicuous services to the State.¹ The *Maliks* shared with the *Khans* some of their ordinary privileges although a difference of degree was always retained. They were similarly entitled to be addressed by their title of *Malik* and any additional titles of honour, a breach of the rule being punishable at law.² It was the same with the last rank of the *Amirs*. They had similar distinctions and dignities, but the same difference of degree as compared with the two higher ranks. To illustrate the point, in using standards in public, the *Khan* was allowed to take out nine standards but the *Amir* was not to take more than three; or again, when a *Khan* was permitted to have ten horses led by hand in his procession, the *Amir* was allowed only two.³ When Sultan Ultutmish made a gift of an elephant to Nasir-ud-din, who was a *Malik*, he gave a horse to each of the *Amirs*.⁴