CH: - 7 (Administration of Mughal

Empire).
S/Q Answers: -
(TQ:- 1) (Q1) Tell about the King.

A) The King or the emperor was the head of the state. He was the chief executive, law-maker, the
commander-in-chief and the final dispenser of justice. During the time of Akbar, the emperor was
accepted as the final arbiter in case of difference of opinion regarding Islamic laws. The emperor became
the highest authority in the state. The Hindu tradition of Divine Right was not forgotten and Akbar
himself claimed to be “the shadow of God” or the “God’s representative on Earth”.

Hence Akbar started the practice of “Jharoka Darshan” and “Tula-Dan”. The Mughal emperors wielded
unlimited powers but they were not cruel or selfish. They believed that the prime duty of a king was to
look after the welfare of his subjects. Akbar always used to listen personally to the complaints of the
people. In the matter of administration, the king was assisted by several ministers. The ministers advised
the Emperor collectively as well as individually.

Q2) Write a note on the Nature of the Government of the Mughal Empire.

A) The administration of the Mughals was mainly the work of Akbar. In this respect, Edwards and Garret
remarks, “Modern India owes much more than is superficially apparent to administrative genius of the
Great Mughals”. His predecessors, Babur and Humayun could not pay much attention to the
administrative side, as they were occupied with the various problems of newly established empire.

.) Facts: - The Mughal administration is called the Perso-Arabic system in Indian setting.

The Mughal rule was mainly foreign and partly Indian. The foreign Arabic and Persian elements had a
great share in it and, therefore, the Mughal administration had been called “the Perso-Arabic system in
Indian setting.”

.) As sir Jadunath Sarkar observes,

“The principles of their Governments, their church policy, their rules of

taxation, their departmental arrangement, and the very titles of their officials were imported ready-
made from outside India. The details of the imported system were modified to suit local needs.”

The Mughal Government was essentially military in nature and every officer in the State had to be
enrolled in the army list. The Mughal emperors realized the necessity of regulating their lives in
accordance with public needs. In order to redress the grievances of the subjects, they gave frequent
public audiences. Akbar appeared at Jharoka and gave Darshan to his people. Aurangzeb discontinued
this practice and held a full Darbar in the Diwan-i-Khas-o’ Am, where appointments and grants were
made. This practice was continued into the reigns of the later Mughals.

.) Benevolent Despot:-

The Mughal Emperor enjoyed immense power. He was the head of administration
both civil and military. He was the commander of the state, forces, the fountain of justice and the chief
legislator. He was assisted by a council of ministers, which could only advice but their advice was not
binding on the emperor. Though a perfect autocrat the Mughal Emperor cared for the welfare of the
people and tried to secure the great happiness of the greatest number. As the welfare of the subjects
was his main object, he can rightly be called a benevolent despot. It is evident from the contemporary
records that the Mughal Emperors paid personal attention to the requirement of the subjects. The
empire decayed only when they failed to pay personal attention to State business.

Q3) what do you know about Vakil-e-Sultanate.

A) The Vakil was the deputy of the Emperor. “He was intermediary between the king and rest of the
official world.” His authority depended on the position of the monarch. “If the Emperor was a minor, he
wielded great authority and if the monarch exercised authority, his office was purely ornamental.”

In the case of Akbar’s minority, Bairam Khan exercised unlimited power as regent and Vakil, but when
Akbar assumed the charge of the administration “ceased to be an administrative officer and his office
was retained just as a title.”

Q4) what do you know about Vazir.

A) Vazir or Prime Minister was next to the Emperor in the work of administration. Originally, the Prime
Minister was given the work of Diwan but later on, the Diwan was titled as Vazir or Prime Minister. He
was the head of the revenue department. He looked after the income and expenditure of the state. He
also looked after the administration in the absence of Emperor. He was like other officials a Mansab,
sometimes commanded the army. He was assisted by several officers and subordinates.

Q5) what do you know about Diwan.

A) The responsibilities of the Diwan are following:-

1) The Diwan was the main minister who was responsible for the Department of Finance.

2) He also exercised general supervision over the administration. He was assisted by several officers of
ministerial rank. The Diwan-i-Khalsha looked after the imperial income from lands and the Diwan-i-Tan
was responsible for the payment of salaries and the assignment of Jagir. The Mushrif-i-Mumalik and the
Mustafi-i-Mumalik were the Accountant-General and the Auditor-General respectively.

3) The Diwan was in charge of the revenue and financial matters.

Q6) What do you know about the Mir Bakshi.

A) He was the head of the Military department. He exercised a general control over the army. He looked
after the recruitment of the soldiers, branding of the horses and the elephants and also looked after all
sorts of supplies to the army and training of the soldiers. He also used to inform the kings about the
news from different provinces.

Q7) What do you know about Mir- Saman or Khan e Saman.

A) He was in charge of emperor’s household establishment. He looked after the personal necessities of
the Emperor and his family. His important duty was to manage the Karkhanas of the Emperor.

Q8) What do you known about Sadr-us-Sadar.

A) He advised the Emperor in all religious matters. He looked after religious education, charity,
recommended stipends and Jagirs to scholar, Ulemas, Qazis. He advised the king for the appointment of
Sadr’s in provinces and supervised their working.

Q9) what do you know about Qazi ul Qazat.

A) The Qazi ul Qazat was the chief judicial functionary in the State. He was assisted by 2 officials the
Mufti and the Mir Adel. The Mufti expounded the law and the Qazi delivered the verdict.

.) The Mir Adel was responsible for bringing the parties to the Court and enforcing decrees. The chief
Qazi was well versed in Muslim law.

Q10) what do you known about Muhtasib?

A) He looked after the moral development of the subjects. He also checked drinking of liquor, gambling
and illicit relations between men and women.

Q11) what do you known about Mir Atish?

A) He was in charge of artillery. Other important high officials who assisted the king were Mir Atish who
supervised the artillery, Darogah-i-Taksal, supervisor of royal mint and Darogah-i-Dak, supervisor of the
mail.

Q12) what do you known about Diwan e Bared?

A) Diwan e Bared was appointed for delivering and receiving official postal letters. Postal offices are
located near every village. For narrow streets, fast runners were appointed.

Special men were appointed for delivering royal letters and orders.

This man was responsible for providing latest news to the emperor.

Q13) what do you know about Mazrab (Taksile).

A) Near every city and villages, taksalas were established, where gold, silver and copper coins were
manufactured. Usually loyal men were appointed for this post (In charge). At one side of the coin, the
names of the 4 caliphs-e-Rashdeen was printed and on the other side, the name and the date of
accession of the King.

(TQ: - 3) (Q14) Write a note on Provincial Administration of Mughal Empire.

A) According to J.N. Sarkar, the administration of a province “was an exact miniature of the Central
Government.”

Dr. Ishwari Prasad calls ‘Suba’ as a “replica of the empire in every respect.”

The provincial administration was organized on the model of central administration.

1) Subedar:-

Known by different names from time to time, he was the head of a Suba. He was the emperor’s
representative. He possessed both civil and military authority. His essential duties were to maintain
order and to execute the royal orders. Generally speaking Subedars were appointed from royal families.

2) Diwan:-

The Diwan was in-charge of revenue administration. He was the representative of the Imperial Diwan.
Although his status was not equal to that of a Subedar, he reported directly to the Centre.

3) Sadr:-

Sadar was appointed by the central government to supervise the rent-free lands granted for
religious and charitable purposes. He had a separate office of his own. He was more independent than
the Diwan. He could grant lands and allowances on his own initiative. Qazis and Amils worked under
him.

4) Bakshi:-

He was appointed by the Central Bakshi in accordance with the advice of the emperor. His primary duty
was to look after the organization of the army of the province.

5) Kotwal:-

Every city had also a Kotwal. He was essentially a police officer who maintained peace and order in the
city. The Kotwal was essentially a police officer and as such he had to detect punish and prevent crime,
to trace the whereabouts of all offenders and evil-doers and to look after the life and property of the
people. He had also to patrol at night to prevent theft and robbery

6) Waqia-e-Navies:-

He recorded all the events of the provinces and submitted his reports to the Centre. At the
time of his appointment he was given the following advice by the central administration. “Report the
truth, lest the Emperor should learn the facts from another source and punish you. Your work is
delicate; both sides have to be served. In the words of most of the high officers, forbidden things are
done. If you report them truly the officers will be disgraced. If you do not, you yourself will be undone…
In every matter write the truth but avoid offending the nobles. Write after carefully verifying your
statement.”

7) Fotadar:-

There was a treasury officer in every province, who was called Fotadar. He used to issue
receipt to the Harvesters, by collecting tax from them. He wasn’t allowed to spend against the
permission of the Diwan.

8) Faujdar:-

Faujdar’s were appointed by the central government and his main duty was to help Subedar. They were
put in charge of important sub divisions of the province. Their appointment and dismissal was in the
hands of Subedar. They were the commanders of the provincial troops. They helped the Subedar to
maintain law and order in the province and punish the rebellious elements.

9) Amil:-

Amil was a revenue collector and had many duties to perform. He was required to deal with the rebels
even if it led to the land remaining uncultivated. It was his duty to see the quality of land improved and
wasteland was brought under cultivation. He was to supervise the work of revenue collection.

Bakshi was the paymaster of the provincial forces .He worked under Mir Bakshi.

10) Bitikchi:-

Bitikchi acted as a check on the Amil and enjoyed the same status as that of the Amil. He prepared
abstracts of revenue every season and was required to send an annual report to the Emperor. He had to
supervise the work of Qanungo.

11) Sarkar:-

Empire was divided into provinces known as Iqtas headed by Hakim/Faujdar/Momin, which were
divided into Sarkars (districts) manned by 2 officials

a) Shiqdar-i-Shiq-daran (for law and order).

b) Munsif-i-Munsifan (for revenue collection).

12) Parghana:-

Every Sarkar consists of many Parganas.

There are 5 officers in every Parganas.

a) Shiqdar: - He is responsible for maintaining peace in the Parghana.

b) Munsif: - He is responsible for carrying out Hajj (Pilgrimage) duties in Parghana.

c) Amin: - He is responsible for collection tax.

d) Fotadar: - He carries out the responsibility of treasurer in the Parghana.

e) Qanun-go: - He is responsible for keeping the records of the lands under cultivation.

13) Deyhat (Village):-

The administration of a village was left in the hands of the village Punchayat. Normally, the state officers
did not interfere in the affairs of the village.

The government dealt directly with the farmers. The Amal Guzar or the revenue collector of the district
was assisted by subordinate officers like the Bitikchi, the Potdar, the Qanungo, the Patwari and the
Muqaddams. The collector was given instruction to collect revenue in an amicable manner and “not to
extend the head of demand out of season”. In times of natural calamities advances were made to the
peasants and public works were constructed to provide relief to the poor.

(TQ: - 4) (Q15) Write a note on Education during the Mughals reign.

A) With the coming of the Mughals educational and cultural activities received great fillip.

1) Role of Babur:-

Babur, the first Mughal ruler, was a man of literary taste and possessed perfect knowledge
of Persian, Arabic and Turkish. His memoirs, is a work of great literary importance.

He had great love for education and got a number of schools and colleges repaired. He also set up a
number of new educational institutions. Despite his great love for education, Babar could not
accomplish much because his reign lasted only for four years.

2) Role of Humayun:-

Hamayun (1530—1556 A.D.) was also a great scholar like his father. He provided
patronage to man of arts and literature. In spite of many political difficulties, he rendered valuable
service to the cause of education. He established a college at Delhi and appointed Shaikh Hussain as its
Principal.

He was fond of the company of scholars and saints and spent lot of time in scholarly pursuits. He was
also fond of collecting books and raised a beautiful library. In recognition of this interest to the cause of
education his tomb was provided with a Madrasa.

3) Role of Sher Shah Suri:-

 Sher Shah Suri, who ruled India when Humayun was in exile, was also a great Patron
of education and learning. He established a Madrasa at Narnaul which became a prominent Centre of
education. He was the first Muslim ruler who made provision for the education of ordinary Muslims too.

4) Role of Akbar:-

Akbar, the great Mughal ruler, showed much greater interest in education. It would not
be wrong to say that his reign marked the beginning of a new chapter in the history of education for
Muslim India, Though, Akbar was not himself much educated, he showed a great love for the scholars
and education.

During his reign, subjects like philosophy, history, literature and arts made tremendous progress. He
introduced certain changes in the existing curriculum of studies in educational institutions Subjects like
logic; arithmetic’s, astronomy, accountancy and agriculture etc. were included in studies.

During Akbar’s times, education was liberalized and even Hindus were admitted to Muslim Maktabs and
Madrasas, As a result, in course of time certain Hindu scholars and historians learnt Persian and made
valuable contribution to the cause of education.

Some of the prominent scholars of the time were Madho Bhatt, Shri Bhatt, Bishan Nath, Ram Krishan,
Balbhadra Misr, Vasudeva Misr, Bhan Bhatt, Vidya Nivas, Gauri Nath, Gopi Nath, Kishan Pandit,
Bhattacharji, Bhagirath, Kashi Nath, Mahadeo, Bhim Nath and Narain Sivji.

During Akbar’s times a number of Sanskrit works were translated into Persian for the benefit of the
Muslims. He also established a number of Maktabs and Madrasas at Agra, Fatehpur Sikri and other
places

5) Role of Jahangir:-

Jahangir, the successor of Akbar, was also a great lover of learning. He himself
possessed a command over Persian and also knew Turkish. He was fond of literary and cultural persons
and showed great regard to them.

Though Jahangir did not do much for the spread of education, he at least devoted attention to the repair
of existing institutions of education. He had issued standing instructions that whenever a rich person or
traveller died without any heir, his property should be taken over by the State and the proceeds be
spent on the construction and maintenance of educational institutions.

It is said that after his accession to the throne Jahangir repaired even those Madrasas that for 30 years
had been the dwelling places of birds and beast and filled them with students and professors. Jahangir
had great weakness for fine arts, specially painting

6) Role of Shah Jahan:-

Shah Jahan was an educated person and gave great encouragement to scholars and
spread of education. He set up a Madrasa near Jama Masjid at Delhi His son, Dara Shikoh was a great
scholar. He had mastered languages like Arabic, Persian and Sanskrit he has been described by the
scholars as the rarest literary jewels produced by India.

7) Role of Aurangzeb:-

Aurangzeb, the last great Mughal Emperor, was also educated and had love for education.
However, he spent most of the funds for the education of the Muslim subjects. Thus, he tried to extend
his orthodoxy to the field of education and neglected Hindus. He gave liberal grants to poor children
belonging to Muslim families.

.) Gokhale has said “Aurangzeb held in contempt Hindu learning’s and in its place tried to foster
Muslim erudition”.

.) CONCLUSION:-

Atulananda Sen says, “The medieval system of education, especially in the later Mughal period failed
to impart the qualities of leadership, and thus ensure the supply of outstanding personalities in the
different walks of life, which the later Mughals needed so badly.”

Q16) Write a note on the art of Painting during the Mughal reign.

A) Prior to the advent of Turks, painting had made remarkable progress in India. But during the pre-
Mughal period, the Turk and Afghan rulers discouraged it. Again the Mughals revived the art of painting
and under their patronage it reached the stage of perfection. The Mughal painting represents a happy
blending of Persian and Indian elements.

1) Role of Babur:-

Babur in his memoirs pays high tribute to Bihzad, the Raphael of the east. Babur was a
great lover of beauty and art and he was gifted with the talent of a painter. But he did not have
adequate time to develop his potentialities in this regard. Humayun developed a taste for painting while
he was in exile in Persia and came in contact with painters like Min Sajjid Ali and Khwaja Abdus Sanad.

2) Role of Humayun and transferred to Akbar:-

He persuaded them to join his service when better times returned. He was
still at Kabul when they joined him. Humayun and his little son Akbar took lesson from them in the art of
painting. These two painters also came to India with Humayun. Hamayun engaged them in the task of
preparing a fully illustrated copy of the Dastan-l-Amir Hamza.

3) Role of Akbar:-

Akbar had a great liking for painting. He set up a separate department of painting and the
head of the department was Khwaja Abdus Samed. The emperor extended his patronage to Hindu and
Muslim painters, personally examined their work every week and gave them rewards according to their
progress.
.) According to Abul Fazl there were 100 good painters at the court of Akbar.

The eminent Muslim painters were Min Sayyed Ali, Abdus Samed and Farrukh Beig. The eminent Hindu
painters were Daswant, Basawan, Sanwal Das, Taraihand, Keshva and Jagannath. In the reign of Akbar
some mural painting was executed but it was miniature painting and portraiture that had received the
attention.

Most of the paintings were intended to illustrate the books in the imperial library like Chengez-nama,
the Zafar-nama, Razom-nama, Ramayan, Kaliyadaman, Naldaman, and Ayardanish. The Mughal painting
reached the rise during the reign of Jahangir. He was a great lover of nature and beauty. During his
period the painters produced much better work than the painters of the previous reign. Jahangir was a
connoisseur and also collected many historical paintings. The most distinguished painters of his time
were Abul Hassa, Aqa Riza, Mansur, Muhammad Nadir, Bishandas, Manohar and Govardhan.

4) Role of Jahangir:-

Jahangir had conferred on Abul Hasa and Mansur the titles of Nadir-ul-Zaman and Nadir-
ul-Asar respectively. Among the painters Bishandas was the ablest portrait painter while Mansur and
Manohar had special aptitude for painting natural scenes and birds and animals. An important factor
during Jahangir’s reign is the elimination of Persian influence. Painting becomes essentially Indian in
character. With the death of Jahangir, Mughal art declined in importance.

5) Role of Shah Jahan:-

Shah Jahan lacked passion for painting. He was more interested in buildings. He
reduced the number of court painters and did not patronize the Mughal painting. The eminent painters
of Shah Jahan’s period were Mir Hassan, Amg Chitra and Chintamani. Among his nobles Asaf Khan
patronized the art of painting. Dara was a great patron of the pictorial art.

There was a distinct decline of pictorial art during the reign of Aurangzeb. He withdrew the royal
patronage which was given to the artists. But the Mughal nobles continued to patronize the painters.
There are pictures of Aurangzeb’s battles and sieges which clearly indicate that he did not wholly dis-
coverage the art.

During the Mughal rule, the Rajput princes did not neglect the art of painting. The Rajput school of
painting grew up. Religion is closely associated with art in this school. The Rajput paintings depict the life
of the innocent villager, his religion, his pursuits and pastimes.

The Mughal School of painting occupies a respectable position in the history of Indian painting. Under
the Mughal patronage it attained to a high level of excellence. The only defect from which the Mughal
art suffered was that it remained confined to the court of emperors, provincial rulers and their nobles.
Yet, the Mughal School of painting occupies a position unique in the history of Indian painting.

Q17) Write a note on the art of Music during the Mughal Empire.
A) The art of music was also patronized by the Mughal rulers. Babur was fond of music. Humayun also
loved the company of musicians and used to listen music three times in a week. Akbar was a great
patron of music.

.) According to Abul Fazl, Akbar paid much attention to music and was the patron of all who practiced
this enchanting art. There are numerous musicians at the court—Hindus, Iranis, Turanis, Kashmiris, both
men and women.

Akbar had a large troupe of excellent musicians at his court. The most famous musician was Tansen of
Gwalior. Noted musician Ramdas and his son Surdas also adorned the court of Akbar. The Mughal
nobles also patronized music—Raja Bhagwan Das and Man Singh had great interest in music. Due to the
joint efforts of both the Hindus and Muslims, Hindustani music made a great advance. New varieties of
Ragas were introduced by the noted musicians.

The eminent musicians under Jahangir were Jahangir-dad, Chatr Khan, Parwizdad, Khurramdad, Makhu
and Hamza. Shah Jahan was a great lover of music and heard music both vocal and instrumental. He was
particularly fond of Dhrupad. During his reign the best singer of Dhrupad was Lai Khan, son-in-law of
Tansen.

The Emperor bestowed on him the title of “Gunasamundar”. The most distinguished Hindu musicians
were Pandit Jagannath and Janardan Bhatta. Pandit Jagannath was both a composer and singer and had
received the title of Maha-Kaviraj. Aurangzeb banned music in his court. By his order poets and singers
were banished from the court.

(TQ:- 5) (Q18) Write a note on the Mughal Architecture:-

A) The Mughal emperors were interested in fine arts and they were great builders. Architecture made
tremendous progress under the patronage of the Mughal emperors.

.) According to Fergusson, the Mughal style of architecture was foreign in origin. But this view has been
criticised by Havell. Sir John Marshall has opined that India is a vast country with manifold diversities so
it cannot be said that architecture ever conformed to a single universal type. It was defended upon the
personal tastes of the emperor. The Mughal architecture is a mixture of Persian and Hindu architecture.

1) Role of Babur:-

Persian influence on Indian art increased after Babar, and continued till the end of the reign of
Akbar. But during the reign of the successors of Akbar Indian architecture and painting became
essentially Indian. Babur was not impressed with the buildings which he found at Delhi and Agra. As he
had poor opinion of Indian art so he sought to improve the art of building by introducing required
improvements. He invited the pupils of Sivan the famous architect from Constantinople to construct the
mosques and other monuments in India.
In his memoirs (Babur Nama) he writes, “In Agra alone and of the stone-cutters belonging to that place
only, I every day employed on my palaces 680 persons and in Agra, Sikri Biyana, Dholpur, Gwalior and
Koil there were everyday, employed on my works 1,491 stone-cutters”.

Most of the buildings of Babur have been destroyed, but two have survived to this day. One is a large
mosque in the Kabul Bagh at Panipat and the other is the Jam-i-Masjid at Sambhal. No special progress
has been made under Humayun in the realm of architecture.

2) Role of Akbar:-

Akbar took great interest in the construction of buildings. According to Abul Fazl, Akbar kept
control over the price of building materials and fixed the wages of the crafts men. The first building
during Akbar’s reign is the Tomb of Humayun at Delhi and it was constructed by Humayun’s widow, Haji
Begum. It clearly exhibits the influence of Persian style. Akbar’s tomb at Sikandara is another building of
the same class. Its style resembles a Hindu temple or Buddhist Vihara. Akbar had constructed excellent
forts at Agra, Allahabad, Ajmer and Lahore.

The Agra Fort is a massive structure of red sandstones. But the most remarkable buildings of Akbar’s
reign are located at Fatehpur Sikri. In 1569 he laid the foundation of this new city on the summit of a hill
near Sikri in honor of Shaikh Salim Chisti. The most remarkable buildings at Fateh Pur Sikri are Jodhbai’s
palace, Birbal’s palace, the Golden palace of Maryam-Uz-Zamani, Panch Mahal, Diwan-i-Am, Diwan-i-
Khas, Buland Darwaza, Jami Masjid and the Mausoleum of Salim Chisti. Red stone was used for the
construction of these buildings and Hindu and Islamic architecture have been applied in their
construction.

The height of Buland Darwaza is 176 feet and it is still the highest gateway in India. It was constructed in
1576-79 to commemorate the conquest of Gujarat. The Jama Masjid has rightly been described as “glory
of Fatehpur”. Two other magnificent buildings of this period are the Palace of Forty Pillars at Allahabad
and the tomb of Akbar at Sikandara near Agra. The design of this massive tomb was inspired by the
Buddhist Viharas of India.

3) Role of Jahangir:-

Jahangir was more interested in painting so that architecture did not make much
progress during his reign. Among the notable buildings of his reign the more remarkable are the Tomb
of Etmad-ud-daula at Agra and the Khuram Bagh at Allahabad. Etmab-ud-daula was built by Empress
Nur Jahan in the memory of his father. It is wholly built of white marble. It is a double storey building
and has extensive garden around it.

The Begum died in 1630 and the following year the construction work was started. The master-architect
under whose supervision the work was done was Ustad Isha. The main building has been constructed in
white marble.

>) E.B. Havell writes, “It is a great ideal conception which belongs more to sculpture than to
architecture. It was completed in 22 years.”
4) Role of Shah Jahan:-

Red Fort at Delhi, Jama-Masjid at Delhi is the contributions of Shah Jahan. The notable
work of Shah Jahan was the peacock throne. It was in the form of a cot bed stead on golden legs. It was
7 yards in length, 4 yards in width and 5 yards in height and jewels worth 86 lakhs of rupees and one
lakh tolas of gold valued at 14 lakhs of rupees were used in the making of this throne. In 1739 Nadir
Shah of Persia carried away this throne during his invasion of India.

5) Role of Aurangzeb:-

After Shah Jahan’s death Mughal architecture declined because his successor
Aurangzeb was hostile to all arts. The only notable buildings built by him are the little marble mosque in
the fort of Delhi, the mosque at Varanasi built on the ruins of the Vishwanatha temple, and the Badshahi
mosque in Lahore. These buildings are regarded as the latest specimen of the Mughal style of
architecture.

Text Book Question Answer:-

Q2) Write a note on department or designations formed by the King for his assistance.

A) The departments and designations are described in the following:-

1) Vakil-e-Sultanate:-

The Vakil was the deputy of the Emperor. “He was intermediary between the king and rest of the
official world.” His authority depended on the position of the monarch. “If the Emperor was a minor, he
wielded great authority and if the monarch exercised authority, his office was purely ornamental.”

In the case of Akbar’s minority, Bairam Khan exercised unlimited power as regent and Vakil, but when
Akbar assumed the charge of the administration “ceased to be an administrative officer and his office
was retained just as a title.”

2) Vazir:-

Prime Minister was next to the Emperor in the work of administration. Originally, the Prime
Minister was given the work of Diwan but later on, the Diwan was titled as Vazir or Prime Minister. He
was the head of the revenue department. He looked after the income and expenditure of the state. He
also looked after the administration in the absence of Emperor. He was like other officials a Mansab,
sometimes commanded the army. He was assisted by several officers and subordinates.

3) Diwan:-

The responsibilities of the Diwan are following:-

a) The Diwan was the main minister who was responsible for the Department of Finance.
b) He also exercised general supervision over the administration. He was assisted by several officers of
ministerial rank. The Diwan-i-Khalsha looked after the imperial income from lands and the Diwan-i-Tan
was responsible for the payment of salaries and the assignment of Jagir. The Mushrif-i-Mumalik and the
Mustafi-i-Mumalik were the Accountant-General and the Auditor-General respectively.

c) The Diwan was in charge of the revenue and financial matters.

4) Mir Bakshi:-

He exercised a general control over the army. He looked after the recruitment of the soldiers,
branding of the horses and the elephants and also looked after all sorts of supplies to the army and
training of the soldiers. He also used to inform the kings about the news from different provinces.

5) Mir- Saman or Khan e Saman:-

He was in charge of emperor’s household establishment. He looked after the personal

necessities of the Emperor and his family. His important duty was to manage the Karkhanas of the
Emperor.

6) Sadr-us-Sadar:-

He advised the Emperor in all religious matters. He looked after religious education, charity,
recommended stipends and Jagirs to scholar, Ulemas, Qazis. He advised the king for the appointment of
Sadr’s in provinces and supervised their working.

7) Qazi ul Qazat:-

The Qazi ul Qazat was the chief judicial functionary in the State. He was assisted by 2 officials
the Mufti and the Mir Adel. The Mufti expounded the law and the Qazi delivered the verdict.

.) The Mir Adel was responsible for bringing the parties to the Court and enforcing decrees. The chief
Qazi was well versed in Muslim law.

8) Muhtasib:-

He looked after the moral development of the subjects. He also checked drinking of liquor,
gambling and illicit relations between men and women.

9) Mir Atish:-

He was in charge of artillery. Other important high officials who assisted the king were Mir Atish
who supervised the artillery, Darogah-i-Taksal, supervisor of royal mint and Darogah-i-Dak, supervisor of
the mail.

10) Diwan e Bared:-

 Diwan e Bared was appointed for delivering and receiving official postal letters. Postal offices are
located near every village. For narrow streets, fast runners were appointed.

Special men were appointed for delivering royal letters and orders.

This man was responsible for providing latest news to the emperor.

11) Mazrab (Taksile):-

Near every city and villages, taksalas were established, where gold, silver and copper coins
were manufactured. Usually loyal men were appointed for this post (In charge). At one side of the coin,
the names of the 4 caliphs-e-Rashdeen was printed and on the other side, the name and the date of
accession of the King.

SHROT Q/A:-
Q1) What was the status of the king during the Mughal reign.

A) The King or the emperor was the head of the state. He was the chief executive, law-maker, the
commander-in-chief and the final dispenser of justice. During the time of Akbar, the emperor was
accepted as the final arbiter in case of difference of opinion regarding Islamic laws. The emperor became
the highest authority in the state. The Hindu tradition of Divine Right was not forgotten and Akbar
himself claimed to be “the shadow of God” or the “God’s representative on Earth”.

Hence Akbar started the practice of “Jharoka Darshan” and “Tula-Dan”. The Mughal emperors wielded
unlimited powers but they were not cruel or selfish. They believed that the prime duty of a king was to
look after the welfare of his subjects. Akbar always used to listen personally to the complaints of the
people. In the matter of administration, the king was assisted by several ministers. The ministers advised
the Emperor collectively as well as individually.

Q2) During whose reign, Behram Khan was appointed as the Vakil-e-Sultanate.

A) In the case of Akbar’s minority, Bairam Khan exercised unlimited power as regent and Vakil, but when
Akbar assumed the charge of the administration “ceased to be an administrative officer and his office
was retained just as a title.”

Q3) What is meant by the word Vazir.

A) Vazir or Prime Minister was next to the Emperor in the work of administration. Originally, the Prime
Minister was given the work of Diwan but later on, the Diwan was titled as Vazir or Prime Minister. He
was the head of the revenue department. He looked after the income and expenditure of the state. He
also looked after the administration in the absence of Emperor. He was like other officials a Mansab,
sometimes commanded the army. He was assisted by several officers and subordinates.

Q4) Mir-Bakshi is the head of which department?

A) He was the head of the Military department. He exercised a general control over the army. He looked
after the recruitment of the soldiers, branding of the horses and the elephants and also looked after all
sorts of supplies to the army and training of the soldiers. He also used to inform the kings about the
news from different provinces.

Q5) Tell about the duties of Qazi-ul-Qazat.

A) The Qazi ul Qazat was the chief judicial functionary in the State. He was assisted by 2 officials the
Mufti and the Mir Adel. The Mufti expounded the law and the Qazi delivered the verdict.

.) The Mir Adel was responsible for bringing the parties to the Court and enforcing decrees. The chief
Qazi was well versed in Muslim law.