A History of Agriculture in India v2.c59.s3.3

v2.c59.s3.3

War against the Hindus was the chief source of slaves. Those who escaped being killed in the war were captured and sold as slaves. Shahabuddin (1297-1348 A.D.), an Arab scholar, states, ‘The Sultan never ceases to show the greatest zeal in making war upon the infidels. Every day thousands of slaves are sold at a very low price, so great is the number of prisoners. According to the unanimous statements of the travellers I have cited, the value, at Dehli, of a young slave girl, for domestic service, does not exceed eight *tankas*. Those who are deemed fit to fill the parts of domestic and concubine sell for about fifteen *tankas*. In other cities the prices are still lower. Abu-s-Safa Umar bin Is’hak Shabali assured me that he bought a young slave in the flower of his youth for four *dirhams*. The rest may be understood from this. But still, in spite of the low price of slaves, 20,000 *tankas*, and even more, are paid for young Indian girls. I inquired the reason—and was told that these young girls are remarkable for their beauty, and the grace of their manners.’⁵