Administration During Delhi Sultanate Period

During the Delhi Sultanate, the administration was well-organized and structured. At the helm was the Sultan, with a Finance Minister, known as the Wazir, by his side. To ensure effective governance, five additional ministers played crucial roles. These included the Sadr-us-Suddar, responsible for Islamic Law, the diwani-i-risalt overseeing Foreign Affairs, the Qazi-ul-Quzar as the Justice Minister, the Diwan-I-Ariz managing Defense or War affairs, and the Diwan-I-Insha handling Correspondence. This administrative setup aimed at the smooth functioning of the Delhi Sultanate’s government.

About Administration During Delhi Sultanate

During the Delhi Sultanate, the administration operated with remarkable organization, led by the Sultan as the head of the empire. The Wazir played a crucial role as the Finance Minister, overseeing financial matters. To ensure effective governance, five other ministers were appointed, each with specific responsibilities. This structured administrative system contributed to the efficiency of the Delhi Sultanate’s rule.

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.
The Qazi-ul-Quzar served as the Minister of Justice.

Below are the pointers for your reference.

The Delhi Sultanate, comprising five short-lived Muslim kingdoms of Turkic and Pashtun origin, ruled Delhi from 1206 to 1526 CE.
The Mughals rose to power in the 16th century, bringing an end to the Delhi Sultanate and establishing the Mughal Empire in India.
The administrative structure during the Sultanate of Delhi was based on Shariat, following Islamic rules.
The Sultan held political, judicial, and military authority, with military strength playing a crucial role in determining succession.
Administrative units included Iqta, Shiq, Paraganaa, and Gram.
Quranic injunctions guided the governance of the Delhi Sultanate, making the Quranic law the empire’s ultimate legal framework.
The concept of sovereignty, as per Islamic principles, placed the Caliph as the highest authority.
Subordinate rulers were considered subjects of the Caliph, reflecting a formal relationship with the Islamic world.
The Sultanate rulers sought to maintain a formal connection with the Islamic world.
Even if a governor declared independence, acknowledging the Caliph’s authority was a customary practice.
The Caliph’s influence was particularly pronounced during the Sultanate period, emphasizing the symbolic and political significance of this relationship.

Central Administration of Delhi Sultanate

The Sultan was the head of the Empire. After the Sultan, all his children had equal rights to the throne, i.e. they didn’t follow the hierarchical succession of the throne. Check here the points elaborating on the central administration of Delhi sultanate. Several ministers handled different departments assigned to them. Some of the major titles in central administration during the Delhi Sultanate are:

Wazir: Prime Minister of the State and in charge of Revenue and Finance (Diwan-i-Wizarat)
Ariz-i-Mumalik: Head of Diwan-i-Ariz (Military Department)
Qazi: Head of the Legal Office
Sadr-us-Sudur: Head of Diwan-i-Risalat (Department of Religious Affairs)
Qazi-ul-Quzar: Head of Diwan-i-Qaza-i-Mamalik (Justice Department)
Amir-i-Majilis: Ministers of royal feasts and festivals.

In the hierarchical structure of authority, the Naib stood next to the Sultan, possessing virtually identical powers. The Wazir held a prominent position just below the Naib. Responsible for recruiting and training military personnel, the Ariz-i-Mumalik played a crucial role, although the Sultan himself served as the Commander-in-chief of the army. The Diwan-i-Risalat, another vital department, played a key role in allocating funds for madrasas, mosques, and tombs, while also supporting scholars. Heading the Diwan-i-Risalat, the Chief Sadr also served as the Chief Qazi, overseeing the justice system.

Provincial Administration of Delhi Sultanate

In the era of the Sultanate rule, the kingdom underwent a structural transformation with the introduction of a system known as Iqtas. These Iqtas were essentially smaller provinces, each overseen by an official known as an Iqtadar. This distinctive system of land distribution took shape during the reign of Iltutmish. Let’s delve into the key aspects of the provincial administration of the Delhi Sultanate during this period.

Every Iqta was strategically allocated with nobles, officers, and soldiers to ensure a streamlined administration.
Smaller Iqtas were often held by individual troopers, relieving them of significant administrative responsibilities.
Iqtas, or provinces, experienced a rotation system where Iqtadars were reassigned different Iqtas every 3-4 years, promoting administrative versatility.
Iqtas were subdivided into Shiqs (districts), further segmented into Pargana (sub-districts), with the village serving as the smallest unit of land.
Key Provincial Officers and their Roles:
Amir: The chief executive responsible for overseeing the overall governance of the Iqta.
Mukti/Wali: Tasked with tax collection and maintaining law and order within the province.
Nazir/Wakuf: In charge of efficiently collecting revenue to sustain the economic stability of the Iqta.
Shiqdar: Responsible for the effective administration and management of the Shiq (district).

Local Administration Under Delhi Sultanate

Village administration or local Administration During Delhi Sultanate was handled by assigned officers and the village panchayat.

Local officers play a pivotal role in driving the holistic development of villages.
The Central Government respects the autonomy of village administration, allowing local officers to lead without interference.
Key Village Officials:
Amil – Managing Land Revenue and Taxes
Hazamdars – Overseeing Financial Matters
Qazi – Maintaining Developmental Records
Shiqdar – Enforcing Law and Order

The ruling class, including the Sultan and associates, courtiers, Iqta holders, and both Hindu and Muslim chieftains, held immense wealth and power.
Living lavishly, this elite class controlled the majority of resources and played a crucial role in shaping policies.
Brahmins and Ulemas formed the priestly class, benefiting from tax-free land grants that contributed to their wealth and influence.
During the Sultanate era, the Ulema’s influence on the Sultan’s decisions was particularly strong, except under Alauddin Khilji.
Towns housed affluent merchants, skilled craftsmen, and artisans, evolving into administrative and military hubs.
Artisan communities, such as weavers and goldsmiths, formed colonies within metropolitan areas, contributing to the city’s diverse character.
The shrines of Sufi saints became popular pilgrimage sites, showcasing the intersection of Hindu and Muslim traditions.
International trade thrived, with the state supporting production in royal Karkhanas, contributing to a flourishing composite culture in India.
Peasants, the lowest social class, lived in communities, contributing land revenue to the state.
Despite changes in dynasties, the caste system remained strict, with inter-caste marriages and eating practices prohibited.
The interactions between Hindus and Muslims influenced each other’s habits and traditions.
Those who converted to Islam retained their previous customs, contributing to the rich tapestry of India’s composite culture.

Art and Architecture

During the reign of the Delhi Sultanate, a rich blend of Islamic and Indian art flourished. This artistic fusion gave rise to iconic structures such as domes, towers, minarets, and various other architectural marvels, particularly during the Lodi, Khilji, and Mamluk periods. Noteworthy architectural styles that gained prominence under the Sultans include the Delhi or Imperial style, the Provincial style, and the Hindu architectural style. Some remarkable examples of the magnificent structures commissioned by the Sultans during this era include:

Qutub Minar- It was established by Qutub-ud-din-Aibak. Iltutmish is renowned for completing the construction of the Qutub Minar to commemorate the memory of Qutub-ud-din Bakhtiyar Kaki. Alauddin Khilji is renowned to have built the entrance of the Qutub Minar [Alai Darwaza].
Tomb of Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq
Jahanpanah
Lodi Gardens
Siri
Hauz Khas
Qutub-Ul-Islam
Mosque Dargah of Hazrat Nizamuddin Aulia

Literature of Delhi Sultanate

The Delhi Sultans placed significant emphasis on literature, particularly Persian literature, during their rule.
In addition to poetry and theology, the promotion of history writing was also prioritized.
Renowned historians included Minhaj-us-Siraj, Zia-ud-din Barani, Hasan Nizami, and Shams Siraj. Minhaj-us-Siraj authored Tabaqat-i-Nasiri, which provides a general account of Muslim dynasties’ history until around 1260 CE.
Barani wrote Tarikh-i-Firoz, documenting the history of the Tughlaq dynasty. Prince Muhammad, the eldest son of Sultan Balban, served as a generous patron of scholars and offered protection to two prominent intellectuals of the era, Amir Khusrau and Amir Hasan.
Mir Khusrau, the greatest Persian poet of his time, composed over 400,000 couplets. He introduced the Indian style of Persian poetry known as Sabaq-i-Hind. His notable works include Khazain-ul-Futuh, Tughlaqnama, and Tarikh-i-Alai.
He was a renowned singer and earned the title “Parrot of India.”
During this period, Sanskrit texts were translated into Persian. Zia Nakshabi was the first to accomplish this.
The Book of the Parrot (Tutu Nama) was translated into Turkish and subsequently into various European languages.
The famous Rajatarangini by Kalhana belonged to the era of Kashmiri ruler Zain-ul-Abideen.
Al-Beruni, an Arabic and Persian scholar patronized by Mahmud of Ghazni, translated Sanskrit works into Arabic.
He was fascinated by the Upanishads and Bhagavad Gita.
His work Kitab-ul-Hind (also known as Tarikh-ul-Hind) provided insights into India’s socio-economic conditions.
Many scholars thrived at the courts of regional rulers. Chand Bardai, a Hindi poet, authored Prithviraj Rasau.
Nusrat Shah supported the translation of the Mahabharata into Bengali, while Krittivasa translated the Ramayana from Sanskrit into Bengali.