Life and Conditions of the People of Hindustan (1200–1550 A.D.) c7.s4.40

c7.s4.40

Cases of individual charity are numerous and very interesting. It is reported that a famous Afghan nobleman named Khavas Khan used to go out at daybreak every morning with a few retainers and large quantities of sweets and rice. He used to awaken every beggar on the road and after giving him some rice and sweets and a coin of silver, he went on to seek another.¹ Similarly Asad Khan, another Afghan nobleman, used not only to give a similar gift of sweets and rice, but also a variety of pickles, relishes and betel-leaves and instead of a silver coin, made a gift of gold.² We have already referred to the instance of the Kotwal of Balban who used to provide a thousand dowries for poor maidens every year. Similarly he is reported never to have slept on the same bedstead and mattress twice or worn the same dress again, all being given away in charity.³