Question

What was the iqutadari and the muqti system?

Answer 1

Iqta’ is an Arabic word, which became a tool of administration in Islamicate tradtion. It is used as a territorial assignment whose holder was designated as Mukti (Muqti) or Iqtadar. In a classical definition provided by Nizam-ul-Mulk Tusi in his ‘Siyatsatnama’ (11th c), it is shown that the Sultan gave an Iqta in lieu of a salary, on a conditional basis with the most important condition being the maintenance of military troops. Further, the Sultan had complete control over the size and tenure with the right to revoke it at will.