Administrative System Under Akbar
Organisation of Government
The organization was divided into central and provincial governments. His system of the central government was based on the structure of the Delhi Sultanate but the functions of various departments were recognized carefully. Territories were classified into Jagir, Inam, and Khalisa.
Central Administration
The Emperor
Emperor was the main head of administration and controlled all military and judicial powers and had the authority to appoint, promote and remove officials.
Wazir
Central Asian and Timurid traditions were of having an all-powerful wazir and were the principal link between ruler and administration. Akbar took away the financial powers of Wazir. The head of the revenue department continued to be Wazir but was no longer the principal adviser to the ruler. He was given the title of Diwan, who was responsible for all incomes and expenditures.
Mir Bakshi
Mir Bakshi was head of the military department and also of the nobility. Recommendations for the appointment to mansabdars were made by him to the emperor. He was head of the intelligence and information agencies of the empire.
Mir Saman
An officer who was in charge of the royal household and royal workshops called karkhanas. He was responsible for all kinds of purchases, manufacturing of different kinds of items for use, and their storage in the royal household.
Chief Qazi
Chief Qazi was head of the judicial department and this was sometimes combined with chief Sadar who is responsible for charitable and religious endowments.
Mutasibs
They were appointed to ensure general observance of rules of morality and examined weights and measures etc.
Provincial Administration
In 1580, Akbar divided the empire into 12 subs or provinces. These were broadly Bengal, Bihar, Allahabad, Awadh, Agra, Delhi, Lahore, Multan, Kabul, Ajmer, Malwa, and Gujarat. Later. Berar, Ahmednagar, and Khandesh were added. With the expansion, the number of provinces rose to twenty.
- Suba: Each suba was under the control of a Subedar, who was appointed directly by the emperor and maintained law and order. The head of the revenue department in suba was Diwan. Other officials were Mir Bakshi, Sadar, and Daroga-i-Dak,
- Sarkar: The main officers of Sarkar were faujdar and amalguzar; who was responsible for maintaining law and order, and assessment and collection of land revenue respectively.
- Pargana: Shiqdar was executive officer at level of pargana. He assisted Amil in the collection of revenue. Quanungo was in charge of land records of pargana and kotwals for maintaining law and order.
- Village: The village headman is called muqaddam and the patwari looked after revenue records.
Nur Jahan’s Influence in Jehangir’s Court
Nur Jahan had tremendous influence in the court of Jehangir and was one of the only empresses who had her name on the coin. Her presence was there when the emperor ran the court and used to run the court when the emperor was sick. She was elevated to the rank of Padshah Begum and her relatives were also promoted to higher positions.
Akbar Biography- History, Reign and Religious Policy
Akbar, also known as Abu’l-Fath Jalal-ud-din Muhammad Akbar was one of the greatest rulers during the Mughal period. He was born on 15th October 1542 in Umarkot, presently in Pakistan, and died on 25th October 1605 in Agra. He was responsible for extending power over most of the Indian subcontinent and reigned from 1556 to 1605. Various measures were adopted by Akbar to win the loyalty of the Hindu population and other non-Muslim populations.
Akbar’s Biography
Table of Content
- Personal Details on Akbar
- Akbar History
- Akbar’s Religious Policy
- Akbar Reign
- Administrative System Under Akbar
- Land Revenue System
- Navratna of Akbar
Mughal Empire