Life and Conditions of the People of Hindustan (1200–1550 A.D.) c8.36

c8.36

⁴ Compare E.D., III, 582-3, for the opinion of the *Masalik-ul-absar*; also K.R., II, 142, for the observations of Ibn Batuta. The *Masalik* definitely speaks of the identity of the *Kani* and the *Jital*, and of 8 *Hashtkanis* as equal to one *Tanka*. Ibn Batuta mentions 8 *Dirhems* as equal to one ‘*Dinar* of Delhi’ which is a substitution of the *Hashtkani* and *Tanka* respectively. In contradistinction to the *Tanka* of silver or ‘the white *Tanka*’ (*Tanka-i-Safid*) the *Jital* was called the ‘Black *Tanka*’ (*Tanka-i-Siyah*). Vide T.A., I, 199. It may be mentioned in this connection that Firishta (text I, 199) is led to believe that the *Tanka* was equal to 50 *Jitals*. He does not, however, make a positive statement, but only confines himself to saying that people used to give 50 *Jitals* in exchange for a *Tanka* which does not indicate the standard of exchange and may have been due to local conditions of exchange.