Promotion of Learning in India during Muhammadan Rule (by Muhammadans) c10.157

c10.157

In the case of ’Alāuddīn, however, we find that he keenly felt within a short time the disadvantages of his illiteracy, applied himself privately to study and soon acquired a knowledge of Persian which enabled him to read all Addresses and acquaint himself with the best authors in the language.² When he made such progress in his studies as to be able to follow learned discourses, he began to encourage discussions of literary subjects and “show favour to all the eminent men of that age,” particularly to Qāẓī Maulānā Kuhrāmī and Qāẓī Mughīṣuddīn. The latter of these two men was appointed to explain the law to the Sulṭān before whom he had often to quake when his explanations contradicted the Emperor’s pre-conceived notions.³ The Sulṭān was always of an