A History of Agriculture in India v2.c59.5

v2.c59.5

The city of Delhi, as it was known in Turkish rule, was founded by Iltutmish (A.D. 1211-1236). Here the Sultan lived in his palace. The entire life of the city revolved around the Sultan and his employees. Mohammad Habib states, "The city had a large number of inns, some of them being charity concerns, for all kinds of merchants and travellers. Some 10,000 to 20,000 load-cattle were used by the Hindu Naiks to supply provisions to the city. There were general markets for things of common use and specialized markets for grain, cloth, horses, and slaves of all nationalities. The markets were overrun by brokers (dallals), who helped people to buy and sell. Industries grew up along with commerce—industries of all types from the manufacture of armament to the training of prostitutes and dancing girls. Delhi was also the centre of banking. All sorts of people wanted loans, including the high Turkish officers, some of whom were always in the debt of Hindu money-lenders.