IGNOU HISTORY NOTES : India History From 8th to 15th Century - Administration of the 'Sultanate'

IGNOU HISTORY Study Notes for IAS, UPSC Exams

History India From 8th to 15th Century

Administration of the 'Sultanate'

Structure

16.0 Objectives
16.1 Introduction
16.2 The Caliphate and the Delhi Sultanate
16.3 The Nature of the Delhi Sultanate
16.4 Central Administration
16.4.1 The Sultan
16.4.2 The Wizarar
16.4.3 Diwan-i arz I 16.4.4 Oths Departments
16.4.5 Slaves and Karkhanns
16.5 Revenue Adfninistration
16.6 Iqta System and Provincial Administration
16.6.1 lqra System
16.6.2 Provincial and Local Administration
16.7 Let Us Sum Up
16.8 Key Words
16.9 Answers to Check Your Progress Exercises

16.0 OBJECTIVES

In the last Block (4) you have studied the territorial expansion and the process of the
establishment of the Delhi Sultanate. In this Unit, the focus of our study will be on the
administrative set up of the Delhi Sultanate. We will take note of the following
aspects :

the contacts that were maintained with the Caliphate,
the nature of the state,
the different departments at the central and provincial level,
the main officials who werk involved in the administration, and
the manner in which the control was exercised.

16.1 INTRODUCTION

You have already studied in Block 4 how in 1206 Qutbuddin Aibak laid the
foundation of an independent Sultanate at Delhi and a beginning was made in
severing links with Central Asia. We have also dealt with the territorial expansion
under the Sultans. In this Unit, our focus would be on the consolidation of the
Sultanate. This Unit introduces you to the central and provincial administrative
system,.the revenue administration and the nature of the Delhi Sultanate.