Q. Consider the following statements:

  1. In the revenue administration of Delhi Sultanate, the in-charge of revenue collection was known as ‘Amil’.
  2. The lqta system of Sultans of Delhi was an ancient indigenous institution.
  3. The office of ‘Mir Bakshi’ came into existence during the reign of Khalji Sultans of Delhi.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  • 1 only
  • 1 and 2 only
  • 3 only
  • 1, 2 and 3

Answer: (a) 1 only

Jagirdari System and Iqta System
  • Jagirdari System and Iqta Systems served as means of military governance and tax collection.
  • The Iqta system was a land distribution and administrative system in the Delhi Sultanate. It was introduced by Shamsuddin Iltutmish.
    • The word “Iqta” is Arabic and refers to a regional administrative unit, similar to a province.
  • The Delhi Sultanate instituted the Iqta system, giving nobility non-hereditary, movable land allocations in exchange for tax collection and military maintenance.
  • In the Jagirdari system, the jagirdars collected the revenue as part of their salary. It was created under the Mughals and included both inherited and transferable grants. 
  • Iqtadars had more direct administrative and military control, whereas Jagirdars had revenue collection power and limited administrative roles.
How the Iqta System worked
  • The Delhi Sultanate was divided into Iqtas, or provinces 
  • The Iqtas were assigned to nobles, officers, and soldiers 
  • The officers in charge of the Iqtas were called Iqtadars, or Muqtis 
  • The Iqtadars were responsible for collecting taxes, maintaining troops, and governing the Iqtas 
  • Any surplus revenue was sent to the Sultan’s treasury 
Iqtadars’ duties and responsibilities 
  • They were supervised by the central government
  • They carried out the Sultan’s orders
  • They maintained large armies
  • They maintained order in their territories
  • They protected the lives and property of the people
  • They appointed soldiers in their armies
Mir Bakshi
  • In the Mughal Empire, the Mir Bakshi, also known as the paymaster-general and administrator of the army, was the head of the military administration, responsible for maintaining records, salaries, promotions, and appointments of soldiers, and supervised the branding of horses and checked the soldiers’ muster roll.
  • The Mir Bakshi’s office was closely linked to the Mansabdari system, which defined the ranks and responsibilities of military officials.
  • The first Mir Bakshi was appointed by Akbar in 1574, and the office continued to exist until the decline of the Mughal Empire in the 18th century.