THE INDIAN ELEMENTS IN THE BUREAUCRACY OF THE DELHI SULTANATE

Author(s): SHAIKH ABDUL LATIF

Source: Proceedings of the Indian History Congress, Vol. 54 (1993), pp. 158-162
Published by: Indian History Congress
Stable URL: https://www.jstor.org/stable/44142942
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 21

THE INDIAN ELEMENTS IN THE BUREAUCRACY

OF THE DELHI SULTANATE

SHAIKH ABDUL LATIF *

0.1 The creation of the Delhi Sultanate in the 13th century and subsequent d
opment in its administrative mechanism revolving around the iqta or tran
able revenue assignment presents an interesting picture of the bureaucr
up of the Sultanate. The particular feature of the sultanate ruling class fr
time of Sultan Shamsuddin lltutmish 1210-36) to Sultan Ghiyasuddin
(1267-88), with a few exceptions, was that it was composed of Tur
Tajiks. Radical changes in the composition of the ruling class, however, c
with the accession of Alauddin Khalji (1296-1316) Indian elements, ge
of "lower" origin, were seemingly allowed selectively by Aluddin Khalji and
freely by Sultan Muhammad Tughluq (1325-51) to take high positions.

1.1 Already by the 1 3th century Indian elements were gaining entry into the Sultante
ruling class. Our main source of the 13th century Tabaqat-i Nasiri by Minhaj
Siraj makes a few references to persons of Indian origin in the circle of nobility.
But in the 14th century we have Persian chronicles Tarikh-i Firozshahi by Ziauddin
Barani, Tarikh-i Firozshahi by 'Afif, Futuh-us Salatin by Isami, Tarikh-i Mubarak

* AM-12784, Reader, Centre of Advanced Study in History, Aligarh Muslim

University, Aligarh

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 Shaikh Abdul Latif : The Indian Elements in the Bureucracy of the Delhi Sultanate

Shahiby Yahya Sirhindi, Khazain-ul Futuh by Amir Khusrau and the Rehla of
Ibn Batua which supply much useful information about officers of Indian origin.

1.2 Imaduddin Raihan, an Indian, found entry into the Sultanate administration
under the successors of lltutmish and played a significant role in the history of
the period. He played a pivotal role in instigating the conspiracy of 1253 in
collusion with the Turkish nobles that led to the ouster of Ulugh Khan Balban
(later Sultan) from the office.1 Imaduddin had become too strong to issue
orders to nobles of high descent.2 He did not continue long in office due to the
machinations of the Turkish slave officers. Hindu Khan, the second non-Turk
from Mathura, was mentioned by Minhaj among the twenty five maliks of
lltutmish.3

1.3 Kamal Mahiyar was an Indian, the son of Mahiyar, a Hindu slave. He had
acquaintance with Malik Alauddin Kashli Khan, Amir-i hajib and Malik
Nizamuddin, Vakildar. They proposed his name to Sultan Balban and got him
appointed to the Khwajgi (post of accountant) of Amroha. The moment Balban
learnt that he was an Indian slave's son he lost his temper and severely
reprimanded the nobles for recommending the name of such a low-born person
to the post of Khwajgi. They were warned to be cautious in future and to avoid
inducting people of lower origin to the post of Khwajgi, Mushrif (officer incharge
of keeping account) and Barid (intelligence officer appointed by the state to
collect information), even if they were highly qualified.4

1.4 But under his successors same Kamal Mahiyar was promoted to the rank of
a Malik (in the Delhi Sultanate it meant the second highest grade of officers
after the Khans) by Sultan Muizzuddin Kaiqubad.5

1.5 Branjtan (Niranjan), Hindu wrestler, had the post of Kotwal under Balban and
drew the salary of one lakh jital. He was removed from service after the acces-
sion of Sultan Jalaluddin Khalji (1290 -96). Being out of service he started
visiting the Khanqah , of Saiyyidi Maula and had some financial assistance from
him . His visit to the Khanqah landed him in trouble. It was reported to the
Sultari that he alongwith some nobles were conspiring to kill him. He was
consequently punished by the Sultan.6 Hathiyapayak, another Hindu officer and
companion of Niranjan, had also been thrown out of job by Sultan Jalaluddin.
He too was made a victim of the charge of conspirarcy against the Sultan and
was punished like Niranjan.7

1.6 Malik Ainul Mulk8 was an outstanding noble of Indian origin from Multan.9 He
was a noted scholar, an accomplished administrator and an experienced
commander.10 He is credited with having served and held top administrative
posts under five Sultans-Alauddin Khalji to Firoz Shah Tughluq,11 He held
important assignments under the Khaljis and served as governor of Malwa12,
Mandu13 and Gujarat.14 He continued to hold top bureaucratic posts under the
Tughluqs as well; and had served them as muqta (governor) of Awadh15,
Zafrabad18, Deogir,17 Multan18, Bhakkar19 and Siwistan.20 His last master Sultan
Firoz Shah appointed him the Ashraf-i Mamalik ,21 and subsequently governor
of Multan.

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 Proceedings, IHC : 54th Session , 1993

1.7 Malik Aizzuddin son of Ainul Mulk found a good berth in the administration like
his father. He enjoyed the office of Dabir-i Mamalik (Chief Secretary for the
whole kingdom) during the reign of Alauddin Khalji.22 Malik Nanak or Nayak, a
convert to Islam was a distinguished officer of Alauddin.23 He served the Sultan
as Akhurbek-i Misarah (commander of the left wing of the horsemen) and had
thirty thousand horsemen at his disposal. He inflicted crushing defeat on the
Mongo! hordes Ali Beg and Tartek.24 The most notable eventr of his career was
to covering and protecting the life of the Sultan from the abrupt attack of Akat
Khan and his men.25

1.8 Malik Kafur or Kafur Hazar Dinari26 was an outstanding general and adminis-
trator of Sultan Alauddin. He had gradual promotion from Vakildar (incharge of
the royal household) to Malik Naib (Vice regent of the Sultan) under Alauddin.27
He led succesful militan/ compaigns against the Mongols, Rama Deva of Devagir,
and Warangal. Telingana, Dwara Samudra and Mabar in the far south were
brought under the control of Delhi under his leadership.28 Impressed by his
contributions to the state Alauddin made him the seal-keeper and the treasurer
and authorized him to act on his behalf.28 The fight for succession that followed
after the death of Alauddin brought his end at the hands of an a assin in 1316.30

1.9 Hasan, popular in history as Khusrau Khan was originally a Hindu of Baradu
or Parwari tribe of Gujarat. He and his brother were brought to Delhi about
1305, when they converted to Islam with the names Hasan and Husamuddin.31
Hasan achieved notable importance under Qutbuddin Mubarak Shah Khalji
(1316-1320). The Sultan promoted him to the position of Malik Naib (regent of
the Kingdom) and conferred on him the title of Khusrau Khan.32 His growing
proximity to the Sultan and high office that he held excited his ambitions. He
ultimately conspired and killed the Sultan and occupied the throne in 1320. But
within less than five month he was challenged and killed by Ghiyasuddin Tughluq,
a leading noble of the deceased Sultan.33 Husamuddin, brother of Khusrau
Khan, also held important office in the administration. Mubarak Khalji had
appointed him the Muqta of Gujarat.34

ii

2.1 The selection of officers to run the stateadministration was given a new turn by
Sultan Muhammad Tughluq. He disregarded the induction of bureaucrahts on
the basis of noble descent. Competence, irrespective of high or low birth, found
favour with him. He filled the administrative organization, with Indian elements,
from the lower strata of society. Malik Maqbul, Khan-i Jahan, was a Hindu
convert to Islam from Telingana. Originally called Kannu. He, very wise and
intelligent, had been a minister in the Telingana Kingdom, but was unlettered
in Persian. He later became the principal minister of Firuz Tughluq.

2.2 Aziz Khummar, a man of low origin ( Kam asi) was picked up by Muhammad
Tughluq for the governorship of Amorha35 Later on he was assigned the admin-
istration of Dhar and Malwa.36 His sincerity and dedication to service brought
him more favour from the Sultan. When Muhammad Tughluq divided Marhat
(Maharashtra) into four Shiqs (units) to regularize the revenue system of the
area, Aziz Khummar was put incharge of one of these shiqs.37

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 Shaikh Abdul Latif : The Indian Elements in the Bureucracy of the Delhi Sultanate

2.3 After assuming charge as Shiqdar Aziz strictly dealt with Amiran-i Sadah
(centurians') to augment the revenue of the state, so much so that the Amiran-
i Sadah of Deogir and Gujarat became afraid of him. Muhammad Tughluq was
so satisfied and pleased with his work that he sent to him robe (Khil'at); and
directed all his officers at the court to write letters of appreciation to Aziz and
to send him robes and horses.38 Najib, brother of Aziz Khummar held important
assignments. He was listed among the distinguished nobles of Muhammad
Tughluq.39 Nizam Main abusively styled Bhangari or bhangi (sweeper) had the
iqta of Kara from Muhammad Tughluq. He with held a few lakh tanka of the
state revenue and rose in rebellion. Ainul Mulk was sent to bring him to book.
He was defeated and killed.40

2.4 Among other important office holders from the lower ranks of society the fol-
lowing are mentioned by «Ziauddin Barani; Najba (Najib) Mutrib (musician) of an
obscure origin was elevated to such a high status that he superseded in status
many of the old nobles. Firoz Hajjam (barbar), Manka Tabbakh (cook), Masud
Khummar (Wine brewer), Ladha Baghban (gardner) were all given administra-
tive charges. Shaikh Babu Nayak Julaha (weaver) was given the charge of a
governorship. Pira Mali (Gardner), "the meanest of the mean" was appointed
to the post of Diwan-i Wazarat. Kihan Bazari (trader) was assigned the iqta' of
Awadh. Muqbil, slave of Khwaja Jahan Ahmad Ayaz was appointed governor
of Gujarat.41 Nathu Sodhal belonged to a Naik clan of Awadh. He had the past
of Hajib (Chamberlain) under Firoz Shah Tughluq.42

2.5 This is just a segmentary collection of information on the diverse strata from
which entry was made into the sultanate nobility. Though most entrants were
converts, religion was not an essential prerequeisite, as we have seen, so long
as the sultanate expanded and grew, the absorption of new elements went
apace; and with this occurred what may be truly called a process of the
Indianization of the Sultanate.

NOTES AND FEFERENCES

1. Minhaj, Tabaqat-I Nas iri, ed. Abdul Hai Habibi, Kabul, 1342, I, pp. 468-9, II, pp. 36,

2. Ibid., II, p. 66.

3. Ibid., p. 8, See also Irfan Habib's article, 'The Sultanate Ruling Class', Medieval India- 1,
Delhi, 1992, p.10.

4. Barani, pp. 36-37.

5. Barani, p. 126.

6. Ibid., pp. 210-211.

7. Ibid., pp. 219, 211.

8. Ainul Mulk is the name by which he is generally referred to in the Persian chronicles. Amir
Khusrau, Khazain-ul Futuh (Eng tr.) by Mohammad Habib, p. 44, mentions Ainul Mulk (the
eye of the state) as his title, conferred on him by Sultan Alauddin Khalji.

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 Proceedings, IHC : 54th Session, 1993

9. For a detailed discussion on his origin, life and work, See lnsha-i Mahru edited by Shaikh
Abdur Rashid, Lahore, 1965, pp. 1-14.
10. Barani, pp. 383, Khazain-ul Futuh (Eng. tr.) Madras, 1931, pp. 44-46. Sham Siraj Afif,
Tarikh-i Firoz Shahi, S.B., Calcutta, 1 890, pp. 406-417.
11. Barani, pp. 247-486, Afif, pp. 406-428, Yahya, Tarikh-i Mubarak Shahi ; AS B, 1931, pp.
87-217.

12. Khazain-ul Futuh, (Eng tr.) pp. 44-45.

13. Ibid.

14. Barani, p. 388.

15. Ibid., p. 485.
16. Ibid.

17. Ibid., p. 486.

18. Afif, pp. 414-415, Yahya, Tarikh-i Mubarak Shahi, ASB, Calcutta, 1931, p. 119.
19. Ibid.

20 Ibid

21 . Afif, Tarikh-i Firozshahi, ASB, Calcutta 1890, p. 408.

22. Barani, pp. 237, 282.
23. Ibid., p. 273.
24. Khazain-ul Futuh, pp. 26,27, Isami, Futuh-us Salatin, (Eng tr) Mahdi Hasan,
ing House, 1977, pp. 545, 579-580.
25. Barani, p. 273.
26. He was a eunuch and Hindu by faith. He had no family of his own. He was,
purchased by Alauddin for a of one thousand dinar, his name Kafur was o
ambergris-like appearance. See Isami, Futuh-us Salatin, (Eng. tr.), II, pp. 55
27. Ibid., p. 559, Barani, p. 30.
28. Khazain-ul Futuh, (Eng. tr.), pp. 113-120 Isami, 546.
29. Barani, p. 390, Isami, p. 564.
30. Isami, p. 606.
31. Amir Khusrau, Tughluqnama, Aurangabad, 1933, p. 19.
32. Barani, pp. 390-391.
33. Ibid, pp. 405-409, 419-423.
34. Barani, pp. 396-97.
35. Ibn Battuta, Rehla ,(Eng tr.) Mahdi Hasan, Oriental Institute, Baroda, 1976, pp. 144-45.
36. Barani, p. 503, Isami, pp. 753-754.
37. Barani, pp. 501-2.
38. Ibid., p., 503.
39. Ibid., p. 505.
40. Ibid., pp. 487-8.
41. Ibid., pp. 505-6.
42. Ibid., p. 541.

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