Delhi Sultanate: Administration Archives

1. Consider the following statements: In the revenue administration of

Consider the following statements:

In the revenue administration of Delhi Sultanate, the in-charge of revenue collection was known as ‘Amil’.
The Iqta system of Sultans of Delhi was an ancient indigenous institution.
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

This question was previously asked in

UPSC IAS – 2019

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Statement 1 is correct. ‘Amil’ or ‘Amalguzar’ was indeed an official responsible for revenue collection in the revenue administration of the Delhi Sultanate, a position that continued into the Mughal period. Statement 2 is incorrect; the Iqta system was not an ancient indigenous Indian institution but was introduced by the Delhi Sultans, derived from similar practices in the Islamic world. Statement 3 is incorrect; the office of ‘Mir Bakshi’ was the head of the military department and existed during the Mughal Empire, not the Delhi Sultanate. The equivalent during the Sultanate was Ariz-i-Mumalik. Therefore, only statement 1 is correct.

‘Amil’ was a revenue collector. The Iqta system was a land distribution system introduced by the Sultans. ‘Mir Bakshi’ was a Mughal office.

The Iqta system involved assigning territories (iqtas) to military commanders or nobles in lieu of cash salaries. The Iqta holder (Iqta’dar or Muqti) was responsible for collecting revenue from the Iqta and maintaining troops for the Sultan. Shaikh Ahmad Sirhindi (Statement 2’s incorrect influence) was a prominent figure of the Naqshbandi Sufi order during the reigns of Akbar and Jahangir.

2. In medieval India, the designations ‘Mahattara’ and ‘Pattakila’ were u

In medieval India, the designations ‘Mahattara’ and ‘Pattakila’ were used for

military officers

village headmen

specialists in Vedic rituals

chiefs of craft guilds

This question was previously asked in

UPSC IAS – 2014

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In medieval India, the designations ‘Mahattara’ and ‘Pattakila’ were used for village headmen or village officials responsible for local administration, especially land revenue.

These terms appear in various inscriptions and historical texts, particularly from periods like the Gupta, post-Gupta, and early medieval Rajput dynasties. ‘Mahattara’ literally means ‘elder’ or ‘great man’ and was a common term for village elders or headmen. ‘Pattakila’ was also used for a village official, often associated with the collection of land revenue or management of village lands.

The village headman played a crucial role in rural administration, acting as an intermediary between the state authorities and the villagers, responsible for law and order, dispute resolution, and revenue collection at the local level.

3. Which one of the following statements is NOT correct ?

Which one of the following statements is NOT correct ?

Sharaf Qai was a minister of Allauddin Khalji

Under Giyasuddin Tughluq Muqtis were warned not to ill-treat any of their officials for small amounts taken over and above their salaries

The Arabic work masalik-i-Absar gives description of the functioning of Iqta system under Muhammad bin Tughluq

Marco Polo has not mentioned about Pearl Fishery of Tuticorin in South India

This question was previously asked in

UPSC CAPF – 2017

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Marco Polo, the famous Venetian traveler, visited South India in the late 13th century and in his travelogue, *The Travels of Marco Polo*, he explicitly mentioned and described the vibrant pearl fisheries in the region, which is widely believed to refer to the fishery in the Gulf of Mannar, near Tuticorin. Therefore, the statement that he has *not* mentioned it is incorrect.

Marco Polo’s account is a valuable primary source for understanding the economic activities and geography of parts of India during the late 13th century.

Sharaf Qai (or Qazi Sharaf Qai) was indeed associated with Alauddin Khalji’s administration, particularly noted for his role in revenue administration and curbing corruption. Ghiyasuddin Tughluq implemented policies aimed at reforming the iqta system and preventing the exploitation of officials and peasants by muqtis. The Arabic work *Masalik al-Absar fi Mamalik al-Amsar* by Shihab al-Din al-Umari is a significant source for the administrative details of the Tughluq period, including aspects of the iqta system under Muhammad bin Tughluq.

4. The Bandagan-i-Khas during the rule of Delhi Sultans referred to the

The Bandagan-i-Khas during the rule of Delhi Sultans referred to the

innkeepers

royal slaves

Dak-carriers

guards of the State stable

This question was previously asked in

UPSC CAPF – 2012

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The correct answer is B) royal slaves. The term “Bandagan-i-Khas” translates to “special slaves” or “royal slaves” in Persian. During the Delhi Sultanate, rulers, particularly the early Mamluk (Slave) sultans like Iltutmish and Balban, relied heavily on a corps of specially trained slaves, often of Turkish or Central Asian origin, for military and administrative positions. These slaves were loyal directly to the Sultan and formed the backbone of the state machinery.

– “Bandagan” means slaves, and “Khas” implies special or royal.
– These royal slaves were highly trained and held significant power and positions in the Sultanate.
– They were a deliberate policy of the sultans to create a loyal support base independent of the turbulent nobility.

The recruitment and promotion of loyal slaves into military and administrative ranks were a characteristic feature of the Mamluk Sultanate in Delhi, inherited from similar systems in other parts of the Islamic world. These slaves were purchased, educated, and trained for service and could rise to high positions, including governorships and military command.

5. Who among the following has described the medieval Indian postal syste

Who among the following has described the medieval Indian postal system as of two kinds-the horse-post called ‘Uluq’ and the foot-post called ‘Dawa’?

Al-Biruni

Duarte Barbosa

Ibn Battuta

Seydi Ali Reis

This question was previously asked in

UPSC NDA-2 – 2022

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The Moroccan traveler Ibn Battuta, who visited India during the reign of Sultan Muhammad bin Tughluq in the 14th century, is well-known for his detailed descriptions of the Delhi Sultanate. In his travelogue, the ‘Rihla’, he specifically described the postal system employed by the Sultanate as being of two kinds: the horse-post called ‘Uluq’ and the foot-post called ‘Dawa’ or ‘Da’wa’.

Ibn Battuta’s ‘Rihla’ is a primary source for understanding the administrative systems, social life, and geography of the regions he visited, including the intricate postal system of the Delhi Sultanate.

The ‘Uluq’ system used horses and could deliver letters rapidly, while the ‘Dawa’ system relied on runners stationed at short intervals along the routes, allowing for faster delivery of urgent messages or goods over short distances. Both systems facilitated efficient communication and movement within the vast empire.

6. Who among the following Sultans succeeded in finally breaking and dest

Who among the following Sultans succeeded in finally breaking and destroying the power of Turkan-i-Chihalgani?

Iltutmish

Balban

Alauddin Khalji

Muhammad bin Tughluq

This question was previously asked in

UPSC CDS-1 – 2020

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The correct answer is Balban. He systematically broke the power of the Turkan-i-Chihalgani to strengthen the central authority and his own position as Sultan.

The Turkan-i-Chihalgani, also known as the ‘Corps of Forty’, was a group of loyal Turkish nobles formed by Iltutmish to administer the Sultanate.

After Iltutmish, the Chihalgani nobles became very powerful and acted as ‘king-makers’. Balban, himself a member of the Chihalgani, understood their power and after becoming Sultan, he employed various measures, including executions and demotions, to dismantle their influence and assert the absolute authority of the Sultan.

7. Iqta in medieval India meant:

Iqta in medieval India meant:

land assigned to religious personnel for spiritual purposes

land revenue from different territorial units assigned to army officers

charity for educational and cultural activities

the rights of the zamindar

This question was previously asked in

UPSC CDS-1 – 2016

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Iqta in medieval India referred to land revenue from different territorial units assigned to army officers.

– The Iqta system was a mechanism used by the Delhi Sultans to administer their vast territories and maintain their army.
– Under this system, the empire was divided into several tracts of land called iqtas.
– These iqtas were assigned to nobles, military commanders, and officials (known as iqtadars or muqtis) in lieu of their salaries.
– The iqtadar was responsible for collecting revenue from their iqta, maintaining law and order, and providing troops to the Sultan when required.
– The iqtas were transferable, and the iqtadars were subject to the Sultan’s authority.

The Iqta system underwent modifications and evolution under different rulers, like Iltutmish and Balban, and was later replaced by a more centralized administration under rulers like Alauddin Khalji.