Life and Conditions of the People of Hindustan (1200–1550 A.D.) c7.s4.59

c7.s4.59

It is difficult to mention any social group in Muslim society which did not drink. Women were known to drink and lead an otherwise free life; tutors of children indulged in drinking; the religious classes, though with many exceptions, did resort to drinking in secret; and the soldiers and military men were addicted to it openly and almost with a passion.⁵ Forms and ceremonies of drinking parties were slowly developed. The ceremony of proposing the health of a chief was especially elaborated. Healths were drunk ceremonially in company. The friends and visitors all sat in a row with their wine cups before them. They began by pouring a few drops of wine on the floor ‘as the share of the earth’. Then all of them raised their cups; the leader of the party pronounced the prayer for health; the party looked towards the host or the guest of honour whose health was proposed and all of them solemnly drank from their cups or drinking vessels.¹ Victory over the enemy was a popular occasion for organizing a drinking party.² Festivals and public functions, as we have pointed out, were other occasions for mass drinking. A melancholy person sometimes drowned his sorrows ‘in the flowing bowl’. ³ As a rule, wine was taken in company with friends. Spiced victuals were also taken for relish with drinks. Common people consumed cheap beers and spirits which were easily available.⁴