Life and Conditions of the People of Hindustan (1200–1550 A.D.) c7.s4.33

c7.s4.33

D. Charity.—The relations between a person of superior social status and one of a comparatively inferior position can better be explained by applying the general term of charity. When for instance, a monarch made a gift to a noble, or the latter in his turn made a smaller gift to the needy and poor, the attitude was essentially the same, though very different terms were applied in the two cases. In the former case, it was considered to be the noble virtue of generosity whi'e in the latter case it was a simple act of charity (*khairat*). Our period, as we pointed out earlier, is very conspicuous for its lavish gifts and a general and wide display of generosity. In fact, ordinary frugality was identified with meanness of heart. By examining the ethical attitudes of the people, one easily gathers the impression that prodigality and extravagance, instead of being considered social evils, were encouraged as the highest acts of piety which were sure to be rewarded in both worlds.¹ Frugality on the other hand, was a grievous sin and a social wrong. A religious belief soon began to prevail among the people, that every gift of charity in this world is rewarded ten times its value in the next.² We have already referred to the general denunciation and the social stigma that attached to the petty shop-keeper mentality, not unlike the unsavoury reputation of Jewish m anness in mediaeval Europe.