Central Administration of the Mughal Rulers

Central Administration of the Mughal Rulers

Central Administration of the Mughal Rulers

The Mughal Emperors being despots concentrated the entire powers in their own hands. The emperor was not only the head of the state but also the law-maker, the head of justice, the chief executive and the chief commander of the imperial forces. Akbar also assumed some religious powers when he got the authority of deciding religious issues of the Muslims. Thus, the power of the Ulemas was eliminated in the reign of Akbar. Being head of justice and a representative of God on earth, Akbar started the system of Jharokha Darshan and Tuladaan. Though these were Hindu customs but being a secular and liberal ruler he adopted these practices. The Mughal rulers believed that the first and foremost duty of the emperor was to look after the welfare of the people and the empire. No doubt, they had some ministers to help them in the administration but the emperor was not bound to act according to their advice. The Mughal emperors used to work for hours together in the royal court. They felt like Akbar the Great that, “Divine worship in monarchs consists in their justice and good administration.” Even sensuous Jahangir and fanatic Aurangzeb were conscious of their duties towards their people. They did not drink in public though Jahangir was an exception to this evil. His laxities were made good by active and strenuous Noorjahan.

It was not possible for any Mughal emperor to keep a close watch on the administrative structure alone, so they had some ministers to help them in administration. Each one of them was in charge of a particular department. Besides four well-organized ministries, there were ministers, courtiers and bureaucrats who helped in the smooth functioning of administration. The ministers were appointed by the emperor and they continued to work in their office so long as he wished. As no ministries were in existence at that time, so each one of them was personally responsible to his respective department. In fact, the position of ministers was like that of a dignified secretary who did not have their own standing but they had to act according to unlimited powers of their master, failing which, they knew, their existence would be in danger.

Wazir or Vakil (The Prime Minister) :- During Mughal period the post of Prime Minister was the most dignified one and he was often styled as Vakil-i-Mutlaq or Wazir-i-Azam. He was the most powerful of the ministers and had the right of appointment and dismissal of other ministers. He was not only in charge of finance and Revenue departments but also acted as chief adviser and most confidant of the emperor. Bairam Khan, who was earlier the regent of Akbar, was the most powerful among the Prime Ministers of the Mughal period. He looked after the work of various departments, and supervised a few of them. He also discharged the duties on behalf of the emperor, in case of his illness or absence from the capital. Sometimes, the Prime Minister was also sent as commander or in-charge of the expeditions. He acted as mediator between the emperor and the officers. Thus, he had great influence over the administrative structure of the empire but Akbar, after the death of his regent and Prime Minister Bairam Khan, minimized the power of the prime Minister. Two assistants were provided to him for the proper functioning of the administration – (i) Diwan-i-Khaba, an officer who looked after the imperial land, and (ii) Diwan-i-Tankhwa who looked after the salaries and Jagirs of the employees.

Imperial Diwan :- During the Mughal Rule post of the imperial Diwan was considered very significant. Often the Wazir had to act as Diwan but actually it was post of finance Minister who looked after the income and expenditure of the state. Diwan also looked after the work of fixation and realization of the revenue. He used to keep all revenue papers in his custody and he issued the orders for payments. He had complete control over the royal treasury. There were several provincial Diwans who assisted him in discharging his duties efficiently. He established strict control and supervision over the Provincial Diwans and acted as a link between the emperor and the Prime Minister in case of any financial lapses. Sometimes, he issued warrants of appointment, transfer and promotion, and made diplomatic correspondence. Gradually, the post of Imperial Diwan grew significant and eclipsed the Wazir.

Mir Bakhshi or Pay Master :- He was the minister in charge of the military department. He looked after the organization of army but he was not the supreme commander of the empire. His chief duty was the recruitment of soldiers, maintenance of service records of government officers, branding of horses and maintenance of descriptive roles (Huliya registers) and he looked after the training and payment of salaries of royal officers and officials. He also used to arrange means of communication and transport for armies or expeditions. He had the power to employ spies in the interest of the empire and provided facilities to the emperor at the time of his tours.

Sadr-us-Sadur (Chief Sadr) :- Sadr-us-Sadur or Sadr-i-Jahan was the fourth prominent minister of the central administration who was the in-charge of religious department and looked after the welfare of the Millat. He was religious adviser of the emperor and looked after the work of charity and religious education. He was, in fact, the guardian of the Islamic law. He also made sure that the principles of Islam were being followed by the Muslims in toto. He also used to collect religious taxes, jaziya and Jakat from Hindus and Muslims respectively. The distribution of grants to the orphans and widows was also his responsibility. Although the department of justice was separated and Qazi-ul-Quzat looked after it, yet sometimes they were combined and both the powers were given to Sadrs but they were kept separate.

Sadrs were appointed by Akbar in the provinces so that they could function effectively and Chief Sadr looked after and supervised their work. Owing to the support of Ulemas and staunch Sunnis sometimes the Chief Sadr surpassed the authority of emperor. It annoyed Akbar to a great extent and he curtailed the powers of the Chief Sadr after much turmoil. He dismissed the corrupt religious officers who were found guilt of taking bribes and exploiting the poor people.

Besides the above mentioned four significant post there were some other important officers who looked after the work of central government and helped in the smooth functioning of the government.

Khan-i-Saman :- This important officer was the head of the imperial household. According to Manucci, “He had charge of the whole expenditure of the royal household in reference to both great and small things. All the personal staff of the emperor was under his control and he also supervised the emperor’s daily expenditure. He also looked after the wants of the women of the royal family and arranged royal feasts. Generally this post was given to the most confident person of the emperor.

Qazi-ul-Quzat :- Although the emperor was the head of justice, yet the post of head of the justice department was given to the Qazi who was assisted by Qazis in different provinces. Muftis were employed for the interpretation of Islamic law but judgement in case of any dispute was given by qazis. The qazis often misused their powers and took bribes.

Muhtasib :- He was an officer who looked after the moral development of the people. His duty was to see that Muslims led their lives according to principles of Islam and did not violate the canons laid down by the Prophet. In case, any one acted against the principles of Islam, it was the duty of Muhtasib to get him punished. This officer generally walked in the town along with police or army men in order to destroy the centers of liquor and gambling. During Aurangzeb’s regime, the responsibility for breaking the temples was also given to him. He also used to control markets and checked the weights and measures.

Other Ministers :- Besides the above mentioned significant ministers there were some other ministers and officials who looked after the central administration. Daroga-i-Dak Chauki was the Head of the spy department. Daroga-i-Topkhana or Mir-i-Atish was in charge of royal artillery. Mir-i-Bahr used to supervise the state boats and sea-flleets whereas Mir-i-Dahr, was in charge of the forests, Mir in charge of correspondence and Daroga-i-Taksal, in charge of the mint were important central officers. Waqianavises and Khufianavises used to make the king acquainted with the important officers of the empire from time to time.

Thus, the central administration of the Mughals was well organized and in spite of the supremacy of the emperor, the idea of welfare of the people was always kept in mind before performing any act.

Milan Tomic

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