The Administration of the Sultanate of Dehli c15.60

c15.60

theists are regarded as *kharājis* and *dhimmis* and, therefore, they are advanced to great positions and are honoured; they are rewarded with drums, banners and standards inset with jewels; dresses of gold brocade and saddled horses are presented to them; and they are appointed to governorships, high offices and important posts.”¹ The same writer goes on to say that even in the capital, the Hindus “build houses like palaces; they wear dresses of gold brocade and ride Arab horses with gold and silver harness; they decorate themselves with a hundred thousand insignia of greatness; they indulge in luxurious comfort; they employ Muslims as their servants who run in front of their horses and the poor among the Muslims beg alms from them and at their palace gates. Inside the very capital of the Sultanate, on the loftiness of which depends the grandeur of the edifice of Islam, they are called (by the proud titles of) *rā’i*, *rānah*, *thākur*, *sāh*, *mehtah* and *pandit*.”² The last sentence shows that the author refers to all classes of the Hindus; political greatness and affluence were not limited to any particular class of the non-Muslims.