The administrative structure of the Government in Delhi sultanate was based largely on the Perso-Arabic system. The army was, however, organized on the Turko-Mongol pattern while the indigenous land revenue system of the Hindus was retained. Thus the administrative system was composite in character.
1. The Sultan:
The Sultan was the Supreme Governor of the realm, the final court of appeal, the Chief Law Giver and the Chief Commander of forces. In spite of this, he could not afford to be an absolute despot. He had to abide by the Shariat, as already mentioned, listen to the advice of the ulemas and theologians and to avoid such unpopular measures which may lead to rebellion. Moreover, there was a Council of Ministers, known as Majlis-i-Khalwat where the King discussed all important State affairs-executive, legislative and financial. The advice of the Council however was not binding on the Emperor. The King also received all the courtiers, the khans, maliks, amirs and other nobles in a court called bar-i-khes. The Sultan conducted the bulk of the State business in the bar-i-am (hall of public audience) which was similar to the darbar-i-am of later times. Here he sat as a supreme judge, decided cases, received petitions from his subjects, heard individual grievances and issued orders.
2. Wazir : Prime Minister:
As
long as the King was in the capital, he was directly responsible for the
administration of all the departments. In his absence the Chief Minister or
Wazir acted for the Emperor. He was chief adviser to the King who would
frequently hold confidential and secret talks. He occupied the highest post
that a civil servant could hold in the empire and was in charge of the
ministers of the financial department, who included the Diwan-i-Ishraf (Audit
Department), Diwan-i-Wizarat (Revenue Department), Diwan-i-Imarat (Public Works
Department), Diwan i-Kohi (Agriculture Department) and was also in charge of
the Intelligence and Postal Department, charitable institutions and karkhanas.
Thus his powers were wide and all embracing. All the provincial governors had
to submit their accounts to him for proper auditing and checking. In his
capacity as head of the karkhanas, he was responsible for equipping the army.
He was assisted by a deputy wazir and a number of officials, such as
Mustaufi-i-Mamalik or the Auditor-General, Mushrif-i-Mamalik or the Accountant
General, majumdar, who kept records of balances, and khazin or the treasurer.
3. Ariz-i-Mamalik: Minister of the Army:
The
Minister of the Army was responsible for the recruitment of soldiers and
equipping the army. In times of war, he would make arrangement for the supply
of provisions, arms and ammunition. He was, however, not the
Commander-in-Chief, who was appointed by the Sultans for a particular
expedition. All policy matters relating to the army were decided by the King
who would invariably consult the Ariz-i Mamalik. He also took charge of all the
booty which might fall into the hands of the Imperial Army.
4. Dabir-i-Khas : Minister of Correspondence
Dabir-i-Khas
was in charge of the correspondence between the King and the provincial governors.
He would read out the letters received and draft replies for the Sultan's
approval. Sometimes the King himself dictated a letter. The Dabir issued all
government orders, fathnamas (or letters of victory) and farmans with the
King's approval. He had a number of secretaries or dabirs to assist him in his
duties. It seems that the status of this department was lowered in the reign of
Firuz Tughluq and after wards its incumbent did not hold a cabinet rank. His
place was perhaps taken by the head of the department of justice and later by
the head of the newly created department of slaves known as Diwan-i-Bandgan.
5. Qazi-i-Mamalik : Chief Justice:
He
was the highest judicial authority after the Sultan. He was the Chief Justice
of the Chief Appellate Court. All appeals, civil or criminal, from the lower
courts, presided over by qazis were referred to him. He also looked after the
ecclesiastical affairs of the State which included the supervision of the
madrasas and the distribution of charities to the needy and learned persons and
darvishses. In that capacity he was known as Sadr-al-Sadur.
6. Diwan-i-Risalat:
Ministry of Appeals
The main function
of the Ministry of Appeals was to receive complaints from the public and to
redress them on behalf of the King. It also heard appeals against the judgement
of the qazi.
7. Other Departments:
There
were several other departments of equal importance. There was the Department of
Intelligence headed by the Barid-i-Mamalik or Chief Commissioner of
Intelligence. His duty was to keep the King informed of all that
happened in the realm. In every sub-division of the Empire, a barid or
reporter was posted to "report to the Sultan the doings of State
officials, transactions in markets and all other happenings". Alauddin created Diwan-i-Riyasat to control the market. Amir-i-Koh
was in charge of the Department of Agriculture. Mir-i-Amarat
looked after the Department of Building. Muhammad bin Tughluq
created the Siyasat or Department of Punishments to try all those
who opposed his schemes. Firuz Tughluq created the Department of Khairat
to help the poor and the needy Muslims particularly those who
could not bear the expenses of the marriage of their daughters. The Royal
Household Department was of considerable importance. Its incumbent, the vakil,
wielded considerable influence. He controlled the entire household of the
Emperor, paid salaries to the King's personal staff and supervised the royal
kitchen, the wine department and the royal parties.
8. Administration of the Capital, Delhi:
The
administration of the capital, Delhi, was entrusted to a kotwal who performed
both ju dicial and police duties. He was responsible for law and order in the
city and in case of crime had to trace the culprit and produce him before the
court. Ala-ud-din created the post of Diwan-i-Riyast to keep strict vigilance
over tradesmen. The Diwan also controlled the markets and inspected weights and
measures. Muhtasib was another important official in the city whose duty was to
"keep a record of the general conduct of the people and also enforce some
of the moral regulations upon them."
कोई टिप्पणी नहीं:
एक टिप्पणी भेजें