Highlight the structure of division of land and tax system during the region of iltutmish ?
Answers
Explanation:
Administration During Delhi Sultanate
The Delhi Sultanate was further divided into smaller provinces for it was convenient for the ministers to help them in the administration. They were called IQTAS.
Iqta System
• The Iqtadari was a unique type of land distribution and administrative system evolved during the sultanate of Iltutmish.
• Under this system, the entire empire was very evenly divided into several large and small tracts of land, called the Iqtas.
• These plots of land were assigned to the various nobles, officers and soldiers for the purpose of easy and flawless administration and revenue collection.
• The Iqtas were transferable, i.e., the holders of Iqtas-Iqtadars-were transferred from one region to other every three to four years.
• The holders of small Iqtas were individual troopers. They had no administrative responsibilities.
• Muhammad of Ghur in 1206 A.D. the able king was the first to introduce the Iqta system in India, but it was lltutrnish who gave it an institutional form. The Iqtadari system witnessed numerous changes during the Sultanate period. Initially, Iqta was a revenue-yielding piece of land which was assigned in lieu of salary. However, during Firuz Shah Tughlaq's reign,in the year 1351 A,D, it became hereditary.
Local Administration
• Local administration was vague and undefined and basically traditional system.
• The provinces in this period were divided into 6 parts headed by shiqda
• The main functions to maintain law and order and protect people against oppression of zamindars and had to perform military obligation.
• The Shiqs were further divided into parganas and had different officials some of which were-
1. Amil- officers who collected land revenue and other taxes
2. Mushrif
3. Hazamdars- treasurers who kept the finances in control.
4. Qazi-Civil officials, who maintained developmental records.
5. Shiqdar-Criminal official and law makers.
6. Kotwal-Police head under shiqdar.
7. Faujdar-Military official in charge of fort along with their adjoining territories.
8. Amin- Officers in charge of measuring land and allocating their usage’.
9. Qanungo-Maintained previous records of produce and assessment.
10. Patwari-Village record keeper
Hence we can decipher that the establishment and expansion of the Delhi Sultanate led to the evolution of a powerful and efficient administrative system. At its zenith the authority of Delhi Sultans had extended as far south as Madurai. They are evn today remembered for their very systematic administrative capabilities. Although the Delhi Sultanate had disintegrated, their administrative system made a powerful impact on the Indian provincial kingdoms and later on the Mughal system of administration.