Mughal Administration c6.s8.1

c6.s8.1

According to Muslim law, it is the king's duty to appoint an Inspector or Censor of Public Morals (*Muhtasib*), for regulating the lives of the people in strict accordance with the scriptural rules. The Censor's functions are to enforce the Prophet's commands and put down the practices forbidden by him (*amr wa nahi*),—such as drinking distilled spirits and fermented beer, *bhang* (i.e., hemp or *Cannabis sativa*) and other liquid intoxicants, gambling and certain kinds of sexual immorality. Dry intoxicants were not condemned, and we find both opium and *ganja* (i.e., the dried hemp plant) allowed, though Aurangzib forbade the cultivation of the *bhang* plant throughout his dominions. The punishment of heretical opinions, blasphemy against the Prophet, and neglect of the five daily prayers and the fast of Ramzān by Muhammadans also lay within the province of the Censor. He used to go through the streets with a party of soldiers demolishing and plundering liquor-shops, distilleries and gambling-dens wherever he found them, breaking with blows the pots and pans for preparing *bhang*, and enforcing the strict observance of religious rites on the part of the Muhammadan population. Sometimes his retainers had armed conflicts with the bold sinners who showed fight. The demolition of newly built temples was one of this officer's duties. (*History of Aurangzib*, iii. Ch. 28§2 and 34 app. 5)