How was the Central Administration during Delhi Sultanate? 

Delhi Sultanate(1206 CE to 1526 CE)

Administration during Delhi Sultanate

Strong administrative system during Delhi Sultanate played the key role in expansion of sultanate reign from North India to Deccan and South India. It was the strength of good administration which helped the Sultanate rulers to establish a strong hold in India in spite of a large range of Social, economic, geographical and cultural diversity.

Delhi Sultanate starts with the reign of Qutbuddin Aibek who established Slave Dynasty. The Slave dynasty was also called the Mameluk dynasty. The Arabic word Mameluk means ‘owned’ which was used to distinguish the important Turkish slaves chiefly meant for military service from the lower slaves who were used as domestic labours or artisans.

The last Turkish conqueror of North India was Muizuddin Mohammad Ghori. He died in 1206 CE. With his sudden death, there began a tussle for supremacy among his three most important generals-Tajuddin Yalduz, Nasiruddin Qubacha and Qutbuddin Aibak. Although, Aibek was deputed as military general of complete India during Mohammad Ghori. Hence, it became very easy for Qutbuddin Aibek to persuade the other higher officials for the establishment of a Turkish State in India.

Qutubuddin Aibak (1150 CE to 1210 CE)

In this way, Delhi Sultanate was established. Between the period of 1206 CE and 1526 CE, five different dynasties ruled in India. The Slave, The Khilji, the Tughlaq, the Sayyids and the Lodi’s are collectively referred to as the Delhi Sultanate. The rulers referred to as Sultans were of Turkish and Afghan origin. Not only they extended their rule over North India, but they also penetrated into Deccan and South India.

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Central Administration

During the reign of Mameluk dynasty or Slave dynasty in Delhi Sultanate, Central administration was administered by faithful slaves, who were deputed on administrative posts only by Sultan. These faithful slaves were those who had helped the Sultan acquiring throne. The administrative works were taken care by royal families also. Hence, faithfulness and trust were the first expectation and they were rewarded as well for the trustworthiness. Sultan was the head of all the military, administrative and judiciary powers. There were different departments to take care of these administrative units.

Wizarat or Diwan-i-Wazarat

After the Sultan, the most important department was Diwan-i-Wazarat which was under Wazir or Prime Minister. Under the Wazir, there were many Naib Wazirs or subordinate ministers who were accountable to the Wazir or Prime Minister. Wazir was also the chief supervisor who used to supervise the works of all other subordinate wazirs. He was the Chief advisor of Sultan who used to advise for all the important decisions related to administrative and non-administrative work.

Wazir also used to take car of the works of financial institutions. He and his department were responsible for the payments of one of the largest non-producer classes which was the royal army. His department used to keep control over the revenue collections from all over the state. There were many subordinate departments like Mustaf-i-Mumalik (Auditor General), Mushrif-i-Mumalik (Accountant general), Mazmuadar (Account Officers) to help him for these works.

The mints, the royal buildings, the intelligence department and the manufacturing units related to royal court were also in the jurisdiction of Diwan-e-Wazarat.

Diwan-i-arz or  Department of Military

After Diwan-i-Wazarat, Diwan-i-arz was one of the most important pillars of Delhi Sultanate which was established by Bulban, the last powerful ruler of Illbari dynasty. It was essentially the department of Military which was managed by Ariz-i-Mamalik.

Military used to help the Sultan to conquer new areas, to defend the empire and to maintain the law and order in state. Delhi Sultanate had a large fleet of royal army, hence it was an important ministry.

Diwan-i-Insha or Department of Correspondence

Most of the operations of royal power were managed through declarations, orders and announcements. Diwan-i-Insha was the department in Delhi Sultanate which used to set up correspondence among the departments and with royal crown.

Dabir-i-Khas was the officer deputed as the head of Diwan-i-Insha who used to write and receive the letters of crown and maintain correspondence with the officers of other departments. Dabir-i-khas was the official and formal means between central administration and other parts of the empire. Dabir also used to act as the personal secretary of the Sultan.

Diwan-i-Riyasat

This department was created to control the market activities during Sultanate period. During the reign of Alauddin Khilji, this department became more important and was renamed or replaced by the department called Diwan-i-Riyasat whose primary function was to implement the economic regulations issued by the Sultan and control the markets and prices.

It used to register the supplies of all the sales goods and maintain the quality and standard of goods in the market. Inspection of weight and measurements was also the responsibility of this department. After the death of Allaudin Khilji, this department lost its importance.

Diwan-i-Qaza-i-Mamalik or Department of justice

This department was responsible for maintaining justice in the state. Judiciary system was independent and authorized to do justice without any compromise. Religious and Legal matters, both were taken care by this department.

Diwan-i-Qaza was headed by Qaza-i-Mamalik. He was responsible for maintaining judicial process and also act as Sadar-us-Sadar for religious matters. Local Judges or Qazis were also elected by Qaza-i-mamalik.

Diwan-i-Risalat or Department of Appeals

Diwan-i-risalat was the department for complaint and Appeal. During the reign of Firozshah Tughlaq, complaints of people were registered in this department. Sadar-us-Sadar was the head of the Diwan-i-risalat who also used to act as Qaza-i-mamalik.

Diwan-i-Kohi

During Tughlaq period, Muhammad bin Tughlaq created and new department named Diwan-i-kohi, which was basically the department of Agriculture. He created this department to regulate the agricultural work during his reign. The main objectives of this department were to increase the land under cultivation.

Diwan-i-Bandagan

As its name introduces it, this was the department related to slaves. Firoz shah Tughlaq introduced this department to inspect, maintain and regulate the slaves during his reign. He increased the number of slaves by capturing the defeated soldiers and young persons during war. He had more than 18,000 slaves. The officer in-charge of this department was the Wakil-i-dar.