Life and Conditions of the People of Hindustan (1200–1550 A.D.) c5.s4.t2.33

c5.s4.t2.33

(c) *Minor Distinctions.*—Apart from the nobles of rank, other subjects were occasionally rewarded with a robe of honour (*khil‘at*) made of brocade and a waist-band, or with a horse and trappings, or with a grant of a piece of land, or a cash gift or allowance.¹ The horses so awarded were of four grades as regards the quality of the animal and the trappings.² The award of a robe of honour (*khil‘at*) became so popular with all classes of people at the close of the period that even the Sikh Guru Angad, is credited with distributing two *khil‘ats* to his followers every year.³ The system of *khil‘ats* as well as the nature of other rewards had a distinctly Persian origin.⁴