UPSC Prelims 2019 Q12: Medieval History – Delhi Sultanate
- (a) 1 only
- (b) 1 and 2 only
- (c) 3 only
- (d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (a) 1 only
Explanation
Delhi Sultanate Administration: Offices and Origins
| Statement | Claim | Verdict | Detail |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Amil was in-charge of revenue collection in Sultanate | TRUE | Amil was the revenue collector at the local/pargana level in Delhi Sultanate administration. Above him were the Diwan-i-Wizarat (finance ministry). |
| 2 | Iqta system was an ancient indigenous institution | FALSE | Iqta was borrowed from West Asia (Abbasid/Seljuk practice) and formally organised in India by Iltutmish (13th c.). It was NOT indigenous or ancient. |
| 3 | Mir Bakshi office came into existence during Khalji Sultans | FALSE | Mir Bakshi (head of military pay office/military administration) is a MUGHAL office created under Akbar's mansabdari system - NOT a Khalji institution. |
Only statement 1 is correct. Answer: (a) 1 only.
Answer: (a) 1 only.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) CORRECT. Amil was the Sultanate's revenue collector. Iqta was West Asian in origin (not indigenous). Mir Bakshi was Mughal (not Khalji).
- (b) Incorrect. Iqta system was borrowed from West Asian Islamic polities, not indigenous.
- (c) Incorrect. Mir Bakshi is a Mughal office (Akbar), not a Khalji one.
- (d) Incorrect. Statements 2 and 3 are both wrong.
Key point
Delhi Sultanate revenue collector = Amil. Iqta = West Asian import (formalised by Iltutmish). Mir Bakshi = Mughal office (Akbar), NOT Khalji.
Remember
In the Delhi Sultanate, the Amil was the in-charge of revenue collection. The Iqta system was a West Asian institution (formalised in India by Iltutmish, NOT indigenous). Mir Bakshi was a Mughal office (created by Akbar), NOT a Khalji one. Only statement 1 is correct.
Common mistakes
- Confusing Sultanate and Mughal offices: Wazir (both), Ariz-i-Mumalik (Sultanate war minister) vs Mir Bakshi (Mughal military pay-master).
- Thinking Iqta was Indian in origin - it came via Turkish rulers from Abbasid/Seljuk practice.
- Attributing Mughal reforms to Khaljis - Mansabdari and Mir Bakshi are Akbar's creations.
Exam tip
Sultanate offices: Wazir (revenue/finance), Ariz-i-Mumalik (military), Diwan-i-Insha (correspondence), Sadr-us-Sudur (religious), Qazi-ul-Qazat (chief justice), Amil (local revenue collector). Mughal: Wazir/Diwan (finance), Mir Bakshi (military), Sadr-us-Sudur (religious), Qazi-ul-Qazat (justice).
Sources
- NCERT Class 7 - Our Pasts II (Delhi Sultanate chapters)
- Satish Chandra - Medieval India Part I (Sultanate administration)