Question

5. Describe the main features of central and provincial administration
under the Mughals.​

Answer 1

Answer:

Central Administration under Akbar:

There was a strong centralized government with king having the final authority over all important matters including politics, military, administrative and judiciary. All the decisions taken by him were final and could not be challenged by anyone.

The king was helped by a team of ministers. He could appoint, promote or dismiss these ministers or officials.

Important council of ministers were the diwan, mir bakshi, qazi, chief sadr and the vakil. All these ministers worked under the supervision of the king.

Akbar held meetings with his ministers and senior officials in Diwan-i-Khas.  

Provincial Administration:

The Mughal Empire was divided into fifteen provinces or the subas. A governor or the subedar was in charge of the province.

While the subedar looked after the military and the civil affairs, the diwan kept an account of the land revenues. Both the subedar and the diwan kept a check on each other.

The provinces divided into districts or sarkars. The sarkars were further subdivided into parganas. A pargana had numerous villages under it.

A team of officials looked after different functions in a pargana. Village panchayats looked after the administration of villages.

Answer 2

The provincial administration was organised on the model of central administration. ✔Centralised administration was established under the king who controlled the entire administration. ✔He was helped by a Council of Ministers. ✔Wakil was the Prime Minister, diwan or wazir was the minister of revenue and expenditure.