The Administration of the Sultanate of Dehli c11.221

c11.221

It was considered necessary to build up a reserve. The Hindu tradition held that it was a disgrace for a prince to spend money which was hoarded by his forefathers. Muslim rulers did not go to that extreme; but they accumulated large treasures which were touched only in cases of emergency.¹ The extent of these reserves can be gauged from the fact that Muḥammad bin Tughluq could redeem forged tokens on an immense scale, and make unparalleled gifts to nobles, travellers and men of learning and piety; he felt the pinch only towards the end of his reign. Only Sher Shāh is recorded to have built up a famine relief fund; he levied a small contribution for the purpose.²