Life and Conditions of the People of Hindustan (1200–1550 A.D.) c5.s4.t2.4

c5.s4.t2.4

2. *The Titles and Distinctions.*—The highest among the nobles bore the title of *Khan* which signified the uppermost grade of nobility.² As a special distinction some of them were given the title of *Ulugh Khan-i-a'zam*.³ Next in rank came the title of *Malik*, and lastly that of *Amir*. There was no lower rank of peers in the court of the Sultans of Delhi. Below them came the military ranks of *Sipah-salar* and *Sar-khel* based probably on a decimal system, if we are to follow the opinion of Haji Dabir.⁴ In a generic sense the term ‘Amir’ may be applied to all the civil and military office-holders of the State, and should not be confused with the rank and title of the same name.¹ Similarly the term ‘Sipah-salar’ was sometimes indiscriminately used to denote a military officer irrespective of his rank and position. The official status of a noble was determined in relation to what were called the *Shughl*, the *Khitab* and the *Aqta* or their sinecures, their titles of honour, and the assignments of revenue respectively. There was no fixed rule for the award of offices at court or the distribution of titles of honour. All of them, however, had large revenue assignments to maintain them and their huge establishments.