CHAPTER VI

ZENITH OF THE SLAVE DYNASTY MOHAMMAD TAGHLAK AND FIKOZ SHAH 1321-1388 A.D. j old soldier did not belie his reputation. The J- trusty warden of the marches proved a just, high- minded, and vigorous king. Under his firm hand order was restored as if by magic. Everything possible was done to repair the misfortunes of the unhappy ladies of the late court, and to punish their persecutors. Or- ders were given to reduce the taxation on agricultural lands to a tenth or eleventh of the produce, and to encourage the tillers to greater production. The Hindus were more heavily taxed, yet not to the verge of pov- erty. In the verse of Amir Khusru: "Wisdom and prudence in all that he did were revealed; The faculties' hoods seemed under his crown concealed." 128