Life and Conditions of the People of Hindustan (1200–1550 A.D.) c6.s1.39

c6.s1.39

The manufacture of spirits and liquors is very old in Hindustan. In very ancient days beers were manufactured from unrefined sugar, *mahwa*, barley cakes and rice.⁵ To this Amir Khusrau also adds the use of sugarcane in the manufacture of drinks.¹ Other varieties were made out of Indian date-palm and cocoanut juice.² In Bengal, where facilities for the manufacture of practically all varieties of strong drink existed, spirits were openly sold in the markets.³