π Topic 04 of 6 Β· Chapter 08 Β· Delhi Sultanate
Delhi Sultanate Administration
Iqta system, central administration, provincial government, army, revenue system.
ποΈ Central Administration
| Department | Head | Function |
|---|---|---|
| Diwan-i-Wizarat | Wazir (Prime Minister) | Finance; overall administration; most important department |
| Diwan-i-Arz | Ariz-i-Mumalik | Military affairs; recruitment, training, payment of soldiers |
| Diwan-i-Insha | Dabir-i-Khas | Royal correspondence; state letters |
| Diwan-i-Risalat | Sadr-us-Sudur | Foreign affairs; religious matters; appeals |
| Diwan-i-Qaza | Qazi-ul-Quzat | Judicial affairs; Islamic law |
| Diwan-i-Bandagan | β | Affairs of slaves |
πΊοΈ Provincial Administration
- Empire divided into Iqtas (provinces) β governed by Muqtis/Walis
- Muqti collected revenue, maintained law and order, and provided military contingent
- Provinces divided into Shiqs (districts) β governed by Shiqdar
- Districts divided into Parganas β governed by Amil
- Villages governed by Khut, Muqaddam, Patwari
ποΈ Iqta System
The Iqta system was the most important feature of Sultanate administration:
- Land revenue collection rights (Iqtas) assigned to officials (Iqtadars/Muqtis) instead of cash salaries
- Iqtadar collected revenue from the assigned territory and kept a portion as salary
- Iqtas were not hereditary β could be transferred or revoked
- Introduced by Iltutmish; continued throughout Sultanate period
- Similar to the jagir system of the Mughals
βοΈ Military Organisation
- Sultan was the supreme commander
- Ariz-i-Mumalik β military minister (not commander)
- Army had four divisions: Infantry, Cavalry, Elephants, Artillery
- Cavalry was the most important β Turks were excellent horsemen
- Alauddin Khalji introduced Dagh (branding) and Chehra (descriptive roll) to prevent fraud
π° Revenue System
- Kharaj β land revenue; 1/5 to 1/2 of produce depending on the sultan
- Jizya β tax on non-Muslims (abolished by Akbar; reimposed by Aurangzeb)
- Zakat β religious tax on Muslims (2.5% of wealth)
- Khums β 1/5 of war booty to the state
- Ghari β house tax (introduced by Alauddin Khalji)
- Charai β cattle tax (introduced by Alauddin Khalji)
β Judiciary: The Sultanate had a dual judicial system β Qazi (Islamic law for Muslims) and Amil (customary law for Hindus). The Sultan was the highest court of appeal. Balban introduced the concept of the king as the Shadow of God β making royal justice supreme.
π Exam Tip:
β’ Diwan-i-Wizarat = Finance = Wazir
β’ Diwan-i-Arz = Military = Ariz-i-Mumalik
β’ Iqta system = land revenue assignment = introduced by Iltutmish
β’ Kharaj = land revenue; Jizya = tax on non-Muslims
β’ Dagh = branding of horses; Chehra = descriptive roll (Alauddin)
β’ Diwan-i-Wizarat = Finance = Wazir
β’ Diwan-i-Arz = Military = Ariz-i-Mumalik
β’ Iqta system = land revenue assignment = introduced by Iltutmish
β’ Kharaj = land revenue; Jizya = tax on non-Muslims
β’ Dagh = branding of horses; Chehra = descriptive roll (Alauddin)