Question

Explain the division of akbar's administration

Answer 1

ADMINISTRATION OF AKBAR (MUGHUL ADMINISTRATION)

The administrative machinery of the Mughuls, which functioned throughout the Mughul’s rule, was introduced by Akbar and that is why, by ‘Mughul Administration’, we mean Akbar’s Administration. Akbar was not only a brave soldier, a successful leader and a great religious reformer but also a great administrator. He introduced various reforms in all the branches of the administration, whether central, provincial, revenue, military or judicial.

Central Administration: Akbar was the overall in-charge of the central government. All the executive, judicial and legislative powers of the state were combined in him. There were no limitations on his despotism and his word was law. But Akbar had always the welfare of his people in his mind and so his was a benevolent despotism. He himself supervised all the branches of his administration and worked hard to discharge his manifold duties. He would hold an open court, listen to the complaints of his subjects and try to pacify them.

Provincial Administration: Akbar divided his vast empire into fifteen (15) Subas or provinces. In each suba or province there was a Subedar, a Diwan, a Bakshi, a Sadar, a Qazi, a Kotwal, a Mir Bahr and Waqa-i-Nawis.

The Subedar or Governor was the head of the provincial administration. He enjoyed vast powers and was in-charge of the provincial military, police, judiciary and the executive. The (provincial) Diwan was in-charge of the provincial finance and all bills of payments were signed by him. The Bakshi looked after the management of the provincial army. The Sadar was in-charge of the judicial charity department. The Qazi was in-charge of the judicial department of his province. He supervised the work ofQazis in the districts and towns. The Kotwal was the supreme administrator of all the ‘thanas’ of the province and was responsible for the maintenance of law and order in all the cities. The Mir Bahr was in-charge of customs and taxation department. The Waqa-i-Nawis was in-charge of the secret service of the province.