Life and Conditions of the People of Hindustan (1200–1550 A.D.) c5.s4.t4.15

c5.s4.t4.15

⁴ Compare Tod, I, 207-210 for a detailed discussion of slaves in Mewar. Apart from agricultural bondage (known as *basai*, which is redeemable) slavery existed in other forms, the slaves being usually known as *golas* (probably an abbreviation of *ghulam*?) and *dases*. The *golas* were the general body of slaves who had lost their liberty and the *dases* (literally 'slaves') the illegitimate sons of a ruling prince, who had no rank or legal position in the State, though they were liberally provided for by the Raja. The marriages of slaves (both *golas* and *dases*) were confined to those of their own class. Their offspring were also slaves, generally esteemed in public according to the quality of the mother—whether she was a Rajputani, a Muslim or one of the degraded tribes. With the familiar advantages or disadvantages of a caste, the slaves also formed a caste of their own, which took away part of the social stigma. Tod bears testimony to the fact that they were well treated in Mewar and even held confidential positions about the chiefs 'whose body they were'. Their distinguishing mark was the wearing of a silver ring round the left ankle.