Provincial Administration under the Rulers of Delhi Sultanate

The Delhi Sultanate was a medieval Islamic empire that ruled over a major part of the Indian subcontinent from the 13th to the 16th century. The administration of the Delhi Sultanate was divided into various provinces, each of which was governed by a provincial governor or a Wazir. Here is a detailed description of the provincial administration under the rulers of the Delhi Sultanate:

1. Division of Provinces:
- The Delhi Sultanate was divided into several provinces known as iqtas.
- Each province was further divided into smaller administrative units called sarkars.
- Each sarkar consisted of several villages and towns.

2. Provincial Governor:
- The provincial governor, known as the Wazir, was appointed by the Sultan and was responsible for the overall administration of the province.
- The Wazir was assisted by a council of advisors, which included important officials such as the Diwan, the Qazi, and the Muhtasib.

3. Revenue Administration:
- The primary responsibility of the provincial administration was the collection of revenue.
- The revenue was collected in the form of taxes, which included land revenue, customs duties, and other levies.
- The Diwan, who was the chief revenue officer, was responsible for supervising the revenue administration.

4. Judicial Administration:
- The Qazi was responsible for the judicial administration of the province.
- The Qazi acted as the chief judge and was responsible for maintaining law and order, resolving disputes, and ensuring justice.
- The Qazi was assisted by a group of qazis who presided over the lower courts in the province.

5. Military Administration:
- The provincial governor was also responsible for maintaining the military forces in the province.
- The governor appointed military officers known as amirs to lead the troops and ensure the defense of the province.
- The amirs were responsible for recruiting soldiers, training them, and ensuring their discipline.

6. Administrative Control:
- The provincial governors were given considerable autonomy in the administration of their provinces.
- However, they were accountable to the Sultan and had to send regular reports and revenues to the central government.
- The Sultan would occasionally send inspectors to check the functioning of the provincial administration and ensure compliance with his orders.

In conclusion, the provincial administration under the rulers of the Delhi Sultanate was characterized by a hierarchical structure with a focus on revenue collection, judicial administration, and military control. The provincial governors played a crucial role in maintaining law and order and ensuring the efficient functioning of the administration.