Life and Conditions of the People of Hindustan (1200–1550 A.D.) c6.s3.t2.19

c6.s3.t2.19

(c) *Domestics and Slaves.*—The prices of slaves and concubines were uncertain, fluctuating according to the fortunes of wars and famines. A skilled slave may have cost anything. No rule could be laid down in these cases. Under Ala-ud-din slaves of rare skill cost 120 Tankas. Badr Chach, the poet, claims to have bought a slave named Gul-chehra (Rose Face) for 900 Tankas (vide Q., 39). Masalik-ul-absar is of opinion that in exceptional cases, slaves even cost as much as 20,000 Tankas and even bigger sums. (Vide E.D., III, 580). For domestic service, under Ala-ud-din a female cost from 5 to 12 Tankas, a concubine, from 10 to 15 Tankas, and a becoming male slave, from 20 to 40 Tankas.¹ Later, in the reign of Muhammad Tughluq, a female domestic cost 8 Tankas and a concubine, 15 Tankas.²