1871 .] 
The reign of GhidsudcUn Tughluq Shah. 
233 
more content, and among tliose to whom was given, there should 
arise no striving and discontent. Being therefore gifted with 
foresight and with prudence, he was careful that each of the 
attendants of his court should receive his due reward, and that 
none should be left in want. Also Sultan Grhiasauddin Tughluq 
Shall, in the distribution of alms, observed a custom which had 
hitherto been unknown in Delhi. For at the receipt of the news of 
any victory, or any other glad tidings, or the birth of any son, or 
the ceremony of the purifying of any of the king’s sons, he was wont 
to assemble the chief men and the nobles, the wise men, and the 
readers of the law, the scholar and the teacher, the instructor and 
the pupil, to the door of his palace : and in the royal presence he 
gave to each according as his position entitled him. Besides this 
also, he sent presents to religious houses, to holy men and recluses 
and to devotees, according to their need, and strove that in the 
city all men of merit and of piety should have a share in his 
favour. He was very swift to relieve those who were immediately 
about him and attached to his presence or his person: and none of 
these men were ever in want, nor did he allow them to become 
indebted, so that all rejoiced with the king, and were glad when 
he was glad. Also if he gave little, he gave of a truth to 
many, and often; so that if a man should count up the measure of 
the gifts which Sultan Tughluq Shah gave in one year, the sum 
would be exceeding large. His kindliness also caused him to strive 
for the welfare and the happiness of all his people, and he was 
grieved when any were in want; for it was his desire that the 
people, and the army, and all classes should live in comfort and in 
prosperity. Hence was it that he endeavoured that all his sub¬ 
jects, whether Hindu or Musalman, should be busy with the 
labour of the field, or other kind of labour, and should thrive in 
it, and should cease from asking charity, and be relieved from 
indigence. Also he desired that there should be no more begging 
from door to door, but that the beggars also should find occupation, 
and should cease to importune, and to ask for alms, because of their 
nakedness and want. He desired rather that every man of 
every class, throughout his kingdom, should have his proper 
calling, and should be at ease, and that there should be no more 
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