The Administration of the Sultanate of Dehli c8.64

c8.64

Limitations. The concentration of authority in the hands of one man has led unwary writers into painting the sultans of Dehlī as the paragons of despotism. According to these authors, their power knew no limits; but, in actual practice, absolute authority has existed only in the dream of the despot or the imagination of the fool. All political power has certain limitations and depends for its very existence on the co-operation of strong elements in the state. This elementary principle was as much at work in Dehlī as elsewhere, though the limitations might not be the same.