History : Administration & Economy (1200 – 1526)

Administration:

Muslims believe that Islamic society and government should be organised on the basis of divine injunctions of the Quran.
The sayings and doings of Prophet Mohammad, collectively known as the “Hadis”, began to be supplemented to the above.

(The ulema have given various rulings on the basis of the Quran and the Hadis to meet different situations and problems, which are together known as the “Shariat” (Islamic Law).
Moreover, “Zawabit” (rules and regulations framed by the sultans) were also used for a smooth and efficient running of the administration.
But only three Sultans sought, and secured a “mansur” or “letter of investiture” from the Caliph. The first among them was Iltutmish. Next Muhammad-bin-Tughluq tried to pacify for ulema by securing investiture from the Abbasid Caliph in Egypt. After him Firuz also sought and secured it.

Central Administration

The Sultan dominated the Central Government. He was the legal head of the state and acted as the chief executive and the highest court of appeal. Political, legal and military authority was vested in the Sultan. He was responsible for administration and was also the commander-in-chief of the military forces. He was also responsible for the maintenance of law and justice. No clear law of succession developed among Muslim rulers. Thus military strength was the main factor in succession to the throne. He was the chief of the armed forces number of officials, chief among whom were the following:

Naib Sultan: The nail or deputy enjoyed practically all the powers of the Sultan on his behalf and exercised a general control over the various departments of the government.

केन्द्रीय सशस्त्र पुलिस बल (सहायक कमांडेंट) के लिये स्टडी किट

Study Kit for Central Armed Police Forces(AC)

Wazir: He was the head of the finance department, called “Diwan-i-Wazarat”. He had a number of powerful assistants, three among whom deserve special mention :

(i) Naib Wazir
(ii) Mushrif-i-Mumalik and
(iii) Mustaufi-i-Mumalik.

The first acted as his chief’s deputy. The second maintained a record of the accounts. The third audited this account.

Ariz-i-Mumalik: He was the head of the military department, called “Diwani-i Arz”. The special responsibility of the Ariz’s department was to recruit, equip and pay the army.

Sadr-us-Sudur (Chief Sadr): He was the head of Public Charities and Ecclesiastical Department knows as “Diwan-i-Risalat”. It was he who made grants in cash or land for the construction and maintenance of mosques, tombs, khanqahs and Madrasas. Again, it was he who granted maintenance allowances to the learned, the saintly and orphaned or the disabled. It has usually a separate treasury which received all collections from zakat (a tax collected from rich Muslims only).

Qazi-ul-Quzat (Chief Qazi): He was the head of the judicial department and usually the posts of the chief Sadr and the chief Qazi was combined in single person.

Amir-Munshi: He was the head of the Record Department, known as Diwan-i Insha. The farmans of the Sultan were issued from his office, while all high level correspondence also passed through his hands.

Barid-i-Mumalik: He was the head of the Information and Intelligence department.

Diwan-i-Risalat dealt with religious mailers, pious foundations and stipends to deserving scholars and men of piety. It was presided over by a chief Sadr or chief Qazi.

Provincial Administration

• The whole kingdom was divided into a number of provinces and tributary states. But the provincial administration under the Sultans was neither well organised nor efficient.

• Governor was called nayim or wali: Below the provincial governor there was a provincial wazir, a provincial ariz and a provincial qazi. Their functions correspond to those of similar dignitaries at the centre.

Local Administration

• The provinces were divided into “shiqs” and below it into “parganas”. The shiq was under the control of the “shiqdar”. The pargana, comprising a number of villages was headed by the “amil”. The village remained the basic unit of administration. The most important official in the village was the headman known as “muqaddam” or “chaudhari”.

• Below the province were the Shiqs and below them the Paragana. We are told that the villages were grouped into units of 100 or 84 traditionally called Chaurasi. The Paragana was headed by Amil. The most important people in villages were the Khuts (Landowners) or Muqaddam or headman. We also hear of village accountant called Patwari.

केन्द्रीय सशस्त्र पुलिस बल (सहायक कमांडेंट) के लिये स्टडी किट

Study Kit for Central Armed Police Forces(AC)

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