Page:History of India Vol 5.djvu/121

 RISE OF KUTB-AD-DIN AYBEK 89 therefore " maimed mad Sam (Mohammad Ghori) purchased him from them. He was possessed of every quality and virtue, but he was not comely in appearance. His little finger was broken from his hand, and he was called Aybek, in the hand." Sultan Mu'izz-ad-din (Mohammad Ghori) used occasionally to indulge in music and conviviality, and one night he had a party, and in the course of the banquet he graciously bestowed gifts of money and of uncoined gold and silver upon his servants. Kutb-ad-din received his share among the rest, but whatever he got, whether A HINDU MUSICIAN. gold or silver, coined or uncoined, he gave it all, when he went out of the assembly, to the Turkish soldiers, guards, farashes, and other servants. He kept nothing, either small or great, for himself. Next day when this was reported to the king, Kutb was looked upon with great favour and condescension, and was appointed to some important duties about the court. He thus became a great officer, and his rank grew higher every day, until by the king's favour he was appointed Master of the Horse.