The Importance of Gifts in the Sultanate

Ibn Batuta arrived in the Valley of the Indus River in September of 1333 or 1335. The area had been involved in a war with the Mongols a few years earlier, but it was now at peace and trade was good. When Ibn Batuta and his companions arrived, they were questioned by local officials. He told them that it was his desire to serve the Sultan, and his request was sent onto Delhi. This is where he made an enormous profit on this gift exchange scheme.