Life and Conditions of the People of Hindustan (1200–1550 A.D.) c7.s1.106

c7.s1.106

Among other posthumous ceremonies for the dead, the Muslims gave a particular importance to Siyum or the ceremony of ‘the third day’. Friends and relations gathered in large numbers to recite the Qur'an for the benefit of the departed soul. At the close of the ceremony, rose-water was sprinkled over those present, and betel-leaves and sharbat (sweet-drink) were distributed as in a regular feast, and people returned to their homes.² It was a very expensive rite, for a very large number of persons had to be invited. Buhlul Lodi, therefore excused the Afghans (who had to invite whole tribe to a man) from the gift of betel-leaves and sharbat or other articles) and confined it to the gift of flowers and the sprinkling of rose-water.³ Other ceremonies which are now usually observed among the Muslims of Hindustan do not appear to have come into prominence by the close of our period.⁴