A History of Agriculture in India v2.c62.s3.2

v2.c62.s3.2

In India the Turks adopted the system of slave-raiding. The slaves (or *bandagan*, as they were called) were all converted to Islam. Shams-i-Siraj describes in great detail, how the slaves were obtained. 'The Sultan was very diligent in providing slaves, and he carried his care so far as to command his great fief-holders and officers to capture slaves whenever they were at war, and to pick out and send the best for the service of the court. When the feudatories went to court, each one according to his ability took with him beautiful slaves, dressed and ornamented in the most splendid style. They also, when they paid their annual visit, brought other presents suited to their means and station—high-priced horses of the best breeds, fine elephants, valuable garments of every kind, vessels of gold and silver, arms, camels and mules—each man according to the extent of his fief, some as many as a hundred, some fifty, some twenty, and some eleven. They also brought slaves.