Slavery in the Delhi Sultanate
Topic: Medieval India through Travellers' Eyes · NCERT: Class 12, Ch 1 "Through the Eyes of Travellers"
Meaning
In the 14th century, slavery was an open and accepted part of life in the Delhi Sultanate (the kingdom ruled by the Delhi Sultans). Our main witness is the Moroccan traveller Ibn Battuta. He saw slaves sold openly in markets and often given as gifts. Most slaves were captured in raids and military expeditions. Slaves did very different jobs. A few female slaves were skilled in music and dance. Some were used by the Sultan to spy on nobles. Most did household work, such as carrying the palanquin, called a dola (a covered seat carried on men's shoulders). Female household slaves were so cheap that most families who could afford it kept one or two.
Example
Sultan Muhammad bin Tughlaq rewarded a preacher named Nasiruddin with 100,000 tankas (silver coins) and 200 slaves. Ibn Battuta himself bought "horses, camels and slaves" as gifts for the Sultan. He also gave the governor of Multan a slave and a horse, along with raisins and almonds.
Don't confuse with
- The "Slave dynasty" (Mamluk rulers, 1206–90): these were Delhi Sultans who had started life as slaves, such as Qutbuddin Aibak. That is a ruling family. Ibn Battuta describes ordinary slaves who were bought, sold and given away.