Life and Conditions of the People of Hindustan (1200–1550 A.D.) c6.s3.t3: III. Cost of Living
Life and Conditions of the People of Hindustan (1200–1550 A.D.) c6.s3.t3
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- English
III. Cost of Living
c6.s3.t3.1
There is almost no evidence from which to estimate the average cost of living. For one reason, among others, the standard of living differed so much from one class to another that it is impossible to work out an average. We have already observed the difference between the lives of the peasants and those of the upper classes, which was almost antipodal. Still it will help us to form at least a vague and tentative idea.
c6.s3.t3.2
The author of *Masalik-ul-absar*, on the authority of his informants cites the case of a person named Khojandi. Along with three other friends, Khojandi was served with a meal consisting of roast beef, bread and butter, the total cost of which came to one Jital.² If we calculate on this basis, and take two meals a day as the diet of an average person it will work out at 15 Jitals per month. Putting 5 Jitals extra for the morning breakfast, the average dietary expenses of one person would come to 20 Jitals per month. If we make a similar allowance for clothes and other expenses, the maximum cost would not exceed one Tanka per month. A family consisting of a man, his wife, a servant, and one or two children could thus live on 5 Tankas for a whole month. This, however, does not allow for social and economic variability and is a rough calculation.³
c6.s3.t3.3
² Compare Notices etc., 210-11.
c6.s3.t3.4
³ The purchasing price of the Tanka is discussed in the Appendix A.