Delhi Sultanate Administration: Central Administration & More | UPSC Notes

The Delhi Sultanate Administration, which was there from 1206 to 1526, was a complex, pyramidal system meant for effective governance and consolidation of the sultan's authority over the vast expanse of territory that the Sultanate comprised. The sultan was at the very center of this administration, holding absolute authority over political and military concerns. The administrative apparatus was very sharp, with a proper bureaucratic structure, more or less coming closer to the Persianate system of governance. The key officials were the Wazir (Prime Minister), who supervised financial matters and revenues; the Ariz-i-Mamalik, who supervised the military establishment; and the Qazi-ul-Quzat, the chief judge, who supervised the administration of Sharia, that is, Islamic law.

Administration of Delhi Sultanate UPSC notes is most important for the UPSC IAS exam. The notes on Delhi Sultanate for UPSC covers a significant part of the Medieval Indian History subject in the Mains General Studies Paper-1 syllabus and General Studies Paper-1 of the UPSC Prelims Syllabus.

In this article on the Administration of Delhi Sultanate Notes UPSC, we shall study in detail about central, provincial and local administration under Delhi Sultanate.

Delhi Sultanate Administration 

Under the Delhi Sultanate, the administration was highly organized, with the Sultan serving as the head of the empire, accompanied by the Wazir, who served as the Finance Minister. 

• Five additional ministers were appointed to ensure efficient administration:
  • The Diwani-I-Risalt was responsible for foreign affairs.
  • The Sadr-us-Suddar oversaw Islamic law.
  • The Diwan-I-Insha handled correspondence.
  • The Diwan-I-Ariz was in charge of defence and war.
  • Qazi-ul-Quzar served as the Minister of Justice.
• The Delhi Sultanate referred to five short-lived Muslim kingdoms of Turkic and Pashtun (Afghan) origin that governed the territory of Delhi between 1206 and 1526 CE.
• The Mughals overthrew the last of their family in the 16th century, establishing the Mughal Empire in India.
• The administration was founded on the Shariat or Islamic rules during the Sultanate of Delhi. The Sultan was given political, judicial, and military power.
• As a result, the military might be the most important element in determining who would succeed to the throne. Iqta, Shiq, Paraganaa, and Gram were the administrative units.
• The Quranic injunctions guided and governed the governance structure of the Delhi Sultanate. The empire’s ultimate law was the Quranic law.
• According to the Islamic notion of sovereignty, the Caliph was the highest sovereign. His subordinates were all Muslim kings all over the world.
• The Caliph’s power was at its peak during the Sultanate period.
• Even if a governor became an independent monarch, he had to proclaim himself the Caliph’s subject and invoke the Caliph’s name.
• The Sultanate rulers tried to retain a formal relationship with the Islamic world.

Sultan – Head of the Administration Under Delhi Sultanate 

The Sultan was in charge of the Sultanate’s administration. The ruler or Sultan himself was in the order of the administration of the Delhi Sultanate.

• The Sultan was a self-governing and all-powerful individual. His will became the law of the land.
• The Sultan may also name his successors on his deathbed, which was accepted by all other nobility. There was no hereditary succession principle.
• During the 15th and 16th centuries, Arabs and Afghans had the opportunity to become Sultans.
• The Sultans saw themselves as members of the Islamic community.
• According to Islamic belief, the Sultans of Delhi were regarded as agents of Allah, i.e. God, and it was their responsibility to implement the divine rules written in the Holy Quran.
• As a result, he was the CEO. He had the responsibility of not only enforcing but also interpreting the Quranic rules.
• The Sultanate was available to all true Muslims in theory, but in actuality, the Sultanate was confined to the immigrant Turks.
• Later, it was limited to a smaller oligarchy and, finally, only members of the royal family.

Ministers to the Sultan

Central Administration of Delhi Sultanate

The Delhi Sultanate’s central administration followed a fairly methodical and well-planned administration structure, overseen by many ministers with specialised responsibilities. There were also numerous departments, each with its own set of officials assigned to specific tasks by the Sultan. The Sultan was the Emperor’s head, and he/she had enormous authority. The Sultan selected other officers to handle the administration.

Wizarat

Wazir was a significant post in the royal court, with the responsibility of overseeing all ministries. He was the Sultan’s most trusted counsellor.

• The wazir’s principal responsibilities were overseeing the Sultan’s financial affairs, providing counsel to the Sultan, and, on occasion, leading military expeditions at the Sultan’s request. He was also in charge of the army’s payroll.
• The wizard also oversaw the Mints, intelligence offices, royal structures, and other royal court-affiliated organisations.
• The wazir had direct access to the Sultan, and the Sultan’s status was heavily reliant on his knowledge, honesty, and devotion.
• Several different departments oversaw the wizard. They were given particular responsibilities.

Diwan-i-Arz

Ariz-i-Mumalik was the head of the Diwan-i-Arz. He was in charge of the military affairs administration. He looked after the royal contingent, recruited men, oversaw the army’s discipline and fitness, inspected the Iqta-holders’ troops, examined the horses, and branded them with the royal symbol. During wartime, the ariz coordinated military supplies, transportation, and administration of the army at war, providing continual supplies and being the guardian of the war plunder.

Diwan-i-Insha

This department handled the state correspondence. Dabir-iKhas was in charge. He collected reports from various officers and prepared and issued royal instructions. The Dabir was an official communication link between the imperial capital and the rest of the empire. He served as the Sultan’s secretary and was in charge of composing the farms. Barid-i-Mumalik oversaw the state’s news collecting and intelligence operations. He had to keep track of everything that was going on in the Sultanate.

Diwan-i-Risalat

This division was in charge of the administration of justice. Sadr-usSadr, who was also the qazi-i-malik, was in charge. He was the top religious authority in the country, in charge of all ecclesiastical matters. He appointed qazis (judges) and sanctioned charitable donations such as waqf, wazifa, and Idrar. The Sultan was the highest court of appeal in civil and criminal cases. Qazi-i-malik was standing next to him. The Muhtasibs helped the judicial department. Their principal responsibility was to ensure that the Islamic teachings were not violated in public. He was also in charge of overseeing and enforcing public morality and behaviour.

Provincial Administration of Delhi Sultanate

During the Sultanate of Delhi, the administration was entirely based on Muslim rules, often known as Shariat or Islamic laws. The Sultans’ and nobles’ principal responsibility in governmental issues was to follow Sharia or Islamic rules. This time correctly said that their religion heavily affected the Sultanate of Delhi’s administration.

• Muqti, Iqtadars, and other government officials oversaw the provincial administration. The landowners were known as Iqtadars.
• The Muqtis and Iqtadars were in charge of providing the Sultans with troops. Several parganas were created for each province. Each pargana was subdivided into several villages.
• The Sultanate of Delhi was never organized into provinces with a unified administrative structure.
• The Sultanate of Delhi was a centralized monarchy, and no Sultan of Delhi ever considered uniformly reorganizing the provinces.
• The whole Sultanate was made up of military commands in the thirteenth century. The Iqtas were the name for them.
• The term “data” refers to a portion or share of land and land revenue given to a person by the Sultan, the monarch.
• Sultan Iltutmish established the system after widely disseminating Iqtas among his Turkish subjects. Muqti, a prominent military official, was in charge of each Iqta.

Provincial Officers of the Delhi Sultanate

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Local Administration of Delhi Sultanate

The smallest administrative entity was the village. The village’s functioning and governance remained mostly unchanged from those of the pre-Turkish era.

• Khut, Muqaddam, and Patwari were the principal village functionaries. They worked closely with the muqti to collect taxes and preserve law and order, among other things.
• The Pargana is made up of a number of settlements. Chaudhary, Amil (the revenue collector), and Karkun were the most significant Pargana authorities (accountant). Despite the fact that the village and pargana were separate administrative divisions, there were interconnected territories.
• In some circumstances, the governor was assisted in his responsibilities by a local ruler (Rai, Rana, Rawat, Raja).
• Local rulers were recognised as Sultan’s subordinates in such instances.

Village Officers of the Delhi Sultanate

Also read: Mughal Architecture for UPSC here.

Judicial Administration of Delhi Sultanate

The Sultan was the Sultanate of Delhi’s supreme judicial authority. He was the epitome of autocracy, with broad powers and unrestricted authority.

• His authority rested on two pillars: religion and military might. He had immense and absolute power as long as he upheld the Quranic law.
• The entire situation, of course, hinged on the Sultan’s personality and military prowess. Nobody dared to defy Ala-ud-din-Khilji and Muhammad-Bin-Tughluq, two formidable sultans.
• In reality, there were no constitutional mechanisms in place to peacefully depose a Sultan. The only way to get rid of him was through civil war and insurrection.
• The Sultans of Delhi were not only kings, but also the religious leaders of India’s Muslim population.

Read the article on the List of Officers in Delhi Sultanate!

Military Administration of Delhi Sultanate

Conquests were very significantly used as both a tool of the internal security of the state and an instrument for extending the Sultanate under the Military Administration of the Delhi Sultanate. 

• The formation of the Sultanate's forces was strong, with a regular army and troops divided into three categories: cavalry, infantry, and war elephants. A department known as the Ariz-i-Mamalik, which is almost like a defense minister in the modern era, looked after the establishment, education, and other affairs of the army. 
• Nobles and military commanders, who were often given Iqtas- land grants, were expected to finance troops from the revenues obtained, thereby forming a half-feudal military organization. 
• All possible ethnic groups were enrolled in the army, especially from the Turks, Afghans, and Indians, whom they forged powerful allegiances to their commanding officers. 
• Slave soldiers, or Mamluks, were another classic feature, especially during the Slave Dynasty. All these campaigns were marked by strategic fortifications and road construction as a means to facilitate troop movements. This shows that the Sultans possessed a very mature notion about military logistics and territorial control. 

Such military administration would not only help suppress internal rebellions, but it would also make the Sultans capable of fending off invasions and extending dominions considerably.

Read the article on the Decline of Delhi Sultanate!

Revenue Administration of Delhi Sultanate

According to the Shariyat, the state received five different forms of revenue. The following are the details:

• Uchar: A tenth-of-a-percentage-point tax paid by Muslim inhabitants on agricultural production.
• Kharaj: A tenth-of-a-percentage-point tax paid by non-Muslim citizens.
• Jazia: A levy levied on non-Muslims for remaining in a Muslim state.
• Jakaq: A religious tribute paid by Muslims.
• Khamas: Khamas is the name given to 20% of the plundered treasures paid to the state.

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Administration of Provinces (IQTAS)

In essence, this was a remuneration system for commanders and a way for them to maintain the army. Rules and regulations were gradually established to organise the entire system. It became the Sultanate’s primary administrative tool throughout time. Through this arrangement, the sultans could also acquire a considerable percentage of the surplus products from various regions of the enormous territory.

• There were two types of Iqtas: those that were under the jurisdiction of the Delhi Sultanate from the beginning, and those that were brought under the control of the Delhi Sultanate during the reign of Ala-ud-din Khalji.
• For administrative purposes, the empire was divided into provinces. They were known as Iqtas. The number of Iqtas was not fixed, and their administration was inconsistent.
• The Iqta’s leader was known by a variety of titles, including naib Sultan, nazim, muqti, and wali. Iqtas were separated into two groups under the reign of Ala-ud-din Khalji.
• The Iqta was established in the early Islamic world as a type of recompense for state services. It was used to pay civil and military officers in the caliphate administration.
• The Sultans instituted the iqta system when the Sultanate was established. Army leaders and nobility were first assigned regions to oversee and collect taxes.
• The lands so given were known as iqta, and the people who held them were known as iqtadar or muqti. In essence, this was a remuneration system for commanders and a way for them to maintain the army.
• Rules and regulations were gradually established to organise the entire system. It became the Sultanate’s primary administrative tool throughout time.
• Through this arrangement, the sultans could also acquire a considerable percentage of the surplus products from various regions of the enormous territory.
• The muqtis or walis of the second group of Iqtas were granted somewhat more extended powers in order to bring the newly annexed region under the Sultanate’s effective authority.

Also read: Difference Between Bhakti and Sufi Movements for UPSC here.

Social System of the Delhi Sultanate

Nobles (Aristocrats), Priests, Townspeople, and Peasants were the four primary categories in the Delhi Sultanate society.

• Sultan and his kin, courtiers and Iqta holders, Hindu and Muslim chieftains, merchants, and bankers were among the nobles. This clique possessed nearly all of the riches and power. They lived in opulence and splendour.
• Brahmins and Ulemas made up the second group of priests. Brahmins and Ulemas both received tax-free land grants, making them wealthy and influential.
• Except under Alauddin Khilji, the influence of the Ulema was so strong during the Sultanate era that it frequently impacted the Sultan’s policy.
• The residents of the town comprised affluent metropolitan businessmen, craftsmen, and artisans. Because cities were home to nobility and merchants, they evolved into administrative and military centres.
• The shrines of Sufi saints become pilgrimage destinations. In metropolitan areas, there was a tendency of artisan communities, with weavers living in a weavers’ colony and goldsmiths residing in a goldsmiths’ colony.
• International trade was booming at the time. The state subsidised the production of items by the royal Karkhanas.
• Peasants were the lowest social class in the Delhi Sultanate. They lived in communities and contributed land revenue to the state.
• A change in dynasty did not always result in a change in their lifestyle. There was a strict caste system in place. Inter Caste marriage and eating have been outlawed.
• The habits and traditions of Hindus and Muslims were impacted by each other. Those who converted to Islam kept their previous customs alive, resulting in India’s composite culture.

Key Takeaways for UPSC Aspirants Centralized Authority: The Delhi Sultanate was very central in administration with the Sultan having the decisive and all-important authority in governance as well as in the military domains. He had to maintain control over the vast, varied territories. Hierarchical Bureaucracy: The Sultanate had an administrative setup consisting of a rather sophisticated bureaucracy. The officials included the Wazir, Ariz-i-Mamalik, and Qazi-ul-Quzat with distinct roles and responsibilities that would be vital to keep state affairs running efficiently. Provincial Administration: The provinces were divided into what was termed Iqtas. Iqtas were administered by officers termed Muqtis, Walis. The general duties of these officers included observing civil order, collecting taxations, and ensuring that the governors to whom they reported would be maintaining an appropriate level of local governance as defined by the central administration. Revenue System: The government had an efficient revenue system, mostly a land revenue one from the Iqtas, and this was the primary source of the wealth that maintained the army and the state apparatus. Military Organization: Military government had a well-developed structure. The army had a standing force with all sorts of nationalities and was divided into specializations like cavalry, infantry, and war elephants. The Ariz-i-Mamalik took care of military logistics and organization. Feudal Elements: Although the government was centralized, the government had feudal elements, especially regarding the military organization. Iqtas were granted to nobles and commanders who raised their troops from them, hence unifying feudalism with centralized power. Judicial System: The Sultanate established a judiciary system on the Sharia principle; the Qazi-ul-Quzat was in charge of it. All through this way, though the local customs and traditions were incorporated at times, the Sultanate had uniform legal institutions everywhere. Infrastructure Development: To support administration and control-roads, fortifications, and building for the head of the sultanate-better access, communication, and military logistics.

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