Ibn Battuta has given a detailed description on the practice of slavery prevalent in India. He used to stay with the sultanate of Delhi Muhammad Bin Tughlaq; Battuta mentioned that Tughlaq had a large number of slaves in his fort. Most of these slaves were forcibly captured during the aggressions and in won warfare. Many people sold their children as slaves, because of the severe poverty in their household. Slaves were also offered as the gits during this time to important people came to meet the king or Justas token of gratitude. Battuta when visited him, also brought many horses, camels and slaves for the Sultan and presented them in front of him. Sultan Muhammad Bin Tughlaq, himself had presented 200 slaves to Nasiruddin a religious preacher.

Nobles as well used to keep slaves in those days. Through these slaves, the Sultan used to keep an eye and get information about the activities of the noble and all other important events happening in the empire.

The women slave served as servants and sometimes acted as Spies in the house of the rich nobles. These women informed the sultan about the activities of their masters. Most of the slaves used to do domestic works and there was a lot of difference between the status of these slaves and the court slaves, the slaves also had different hierarchy within them.