List of Officers of Mughal Empire - UPSC Notes!

The Mughal Empire was a powerful and influential dynasty that ruled much of the Indian subcontinent from the early 16th century to the mid-19th century. During this time, the Mughal Emperors had a number of important officers who helped them govern their vast empire.

These officers were responsible for various duties, such as collecting taxes, maintaining law and order, managing the army, and overseeing the administration of the empire. They were appointed based on their skills, knowledge, and loyalty to the Emperor.

In this article, we will explore the List of Officers of Mughal Empire. This forms a major part of the UPSC IAS exam, and questions related to this topic are seen in Prelims, UPSC Mains Paper I.

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Mughal Administration

The Mughal administration was a well-organized system that helped the empire run smoothly. The emperor, known as the Mughal ruler, was the supreme authority and made all the important decisions.

The empire was divided into provinces called "subahs," each headed by a governor known as a "subahdar." The subahdar was responsible for collecting taxes, maintaining law and order, and overseeing the overall administration of the region.

The administration of mughal empire had a complex bureaucracy with various officials. The "diwan" was in charge of revenue collection and financial matters, while the "mir bakshi" handled the military and defense. The "sadras" dealt with justice and legal affairs, ensuring fair treatment for all citizens.

The empire employed a system of land revenue known as the "zabt." Under this system, local administrators were responsible for assessing and collecting taxes from the farmers based on the productivity of the land. This revenue helped fund the empire's expenses, such as maintaining the army and infrastructure.

The Mughal administration also emphasized cultural and artistic endeavors. The emperor patronized artists, poets, and scholars, encouraging the growth of architecture, literature, and fine arts. This cultural focus added to the grandeur and richness of the Mughal Empire.

Various Departments of Mughal Empire 

The Mughal Empire had a complex administrative system with various departments responsible for different aspects of governance. These departments were responsible for the Emperor's private and public treasury, ranking officials and military commanders, protecting and expanding the empire, overseeing religious affairs, maintaining court etiquette, caring for the royal family, transporting messages and goods, and maintaining the security of the empire.

Department	Description
Diwan-i-Khas	The department of the emperor's private treasury and audience
Diwan-i-Am	The department of the emperor's public treasury and audience
Mansabdari system	A system of ranking officials and military commanders based on their level of responsibility
Mughal Army	The military department responsible for the protection and expansion of the empire
Zamindari System	A land revenue system where the state collected taxes directly from landowners
Sadr-i-Jahan	The department of religious affairs, responsible for appointing judges and overseeing religious endowments
Mughal Court	The department of the emperor's personal court, responsible for maintaining court etiquette and protocol
Mughal Harem	The department of the emperor's household, responsible for the care of the royal family and concubines
Mughal Postal Service	The department responsible for the transportation of messages and goods throughout the empire
Mughal Intelligence	The department responsible for gathering intelligence and maintaining the security of the empire

List of Officers of Mughal Empire at Central Level

The Mughal Empire, one of the most powerful and influential empires in the Indian subcontinent, was established in 1526 by Babur, a descendant of Timur and Genghis Khan. The Mughal Empire reached its zenith during the reign of Emperor Akbar, who implemented a number of administrative, economic, and cultural reforms.

At the central level, the Mughal Empire was governed by a number of officers who held important administrative and military positions. Here is a list of some of the key officers of the Mughal Empire at the central level, along with a brief description of their roles and responsibilities:

Department	Description
Emperor	Head of the Empire, responsible for all major decisions related to administration, military campaigns, and diplomacy
Wazir	Chief Minister, responsible for the overall administration of the Empire, including revenue collection, justice, and defense
Mir Bakshi	Chief Military Officer, responsible for recruitment and organization of troops, as well as ensuring their pay and provisions
Diwan-i-Kul	Finance Minister, responsible for managing the Empire's finances, including revenue collection, taxation, and expenditure
Sadr-us-Sudur	Head of Religious Affairs, responsible for overseeing the administration of mosques, shrines, and other religious institutions
Kotwal	Chief of Police, responsible for maintaining law and order in the Empire's cities
Qazi	Chief Justice, responsible for interpreting and enforcing Islamic law
Mir Jumla	Chief Diplomat, responsible for negotiating treaties and alliances with other kingdoms and empires
Mir Saman	Chamberlain, responsible for managing the Emperor's household and personal affairs
Muhtasib	Inspector General, responsible for ensuring the quality and safety of food, goods, and services sold in the Empire's markets

These officers formed the backbone of the Mughal Empire's centralized administration, and played a key role in the Empire's success and longevity.

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List of Officers of Mughal Empire at Province Level 

During the Mughal Empire, the provinces were governed by several officers who held important positions in the administrative hierarchy. This system of governance helped the Mughal Empire maintain stability and control over a vast territory for several centuries.

Officers	Responsibilities
Diwan	Responsible for revenue administration
Bakshi	Responsible for organizing the army in the province
Sadr	Responsible for managing judicial affairs
Sipahsalar	Representative of the Emperor with civil & military authority; responsible for carrying out royal orders

Read about the Zamindari System in India with this linked article!

List of Officers of Mughal Empire at District Level 

The Mughal Empire, which existed in the Indian subcontinent from the early 16th century to the mid-19th century, was a vast and complex administrative entity with a hierarchical system of governance. 

This system of governance helped the Mughal Empire maintain stability and control over a vast territory for several centuries.

Officers	Responsibilities
Qanungo	Maintaining land records and conducting surveys
Amin	Collecting land revenue and maintaining revenue records
Chaudhary	Maintaining law and order and resolving disputes
Kotwal	Maintaining law and order and overseeing local police
Qazi/Qadhi	Presiding over the judicial affairs and dispensing justice
Mufti	Providing legal opinions on Islamic law and customs

Read about Delhi Sultanate with this linked article!

List of Officers of Mughal Empire at Pargana Level 

The Mughal Empire, which spanned much of the Indian subcontinent from the early 16th century to the mid-19th century, was one of the most powerful and culturally rich empires in world history.

These officers played an important role in maintaining the stability and functioning of the Mughal Empire at the local level.

Designation	Responsibilities
Faujdar	Military commander
Qazi	Legal authority
Kotwal	Police Chief
Amir-i-Shikar	Chief of Hunting
Amil	Revenue collector
Patwari	Village accountant
Chowdhury	Headman of a group of villages
Qanungo	Record keeper and land measurer

Read about Mughal Architecture for UPSC Examination here! 

List of Officers of Mughal Empire at Village Level 

At the village level in the Mughal Empire, various officers were responsible for ensuring the smooth functioning of the village and serving the needs of its residents. 

These officers played a vital role in ensuring the smooth functioning of village life, and their duties were an essential part of the administration of mughal empire at the grassroots level. Their roles were crucial in maintaining the economy and social fabric of the village and played an essential role in the empire's functioning as a whole.

Designation	Responsibilities
Barber	Hairdresser and shaver
Nai	Barber
Chobdar	Water carrier
Halwai	Sweet maker
Dhobi	Washer and ironer of clothes
Lohar	Blacksmith
Kasai	Butcher

Nav-ratnas of Akbar 

• Nav-ratnas, or the "Nine Jewels," were a group of individuals who served as advisors and ministers to Mughal Emperor Akbar. 
• The Nav-ratnas were chosen for their expertise in their respective fields and were known for their contributions to the administration, military, finance, culture, and spiritual development of the empire. 
• The Nav-ratnas included Birbal, a courtier who excelled in administration and diplomacy, Todar Mal, a finance expert who created the land revenue system, and Abul Fazl, a scholar who wrote the Akbarnama and Ain-i-Akbari. Faizi, another scholar, was renowned for his literary works and translations, while Raja Man Singh was a military leader who played a vital role in military campaigns and administration.
• Abdul Rahim Khan-i-Khana was a poet and minister who made significant contributions to administration, and Fakir Aziao-Din was a spiritual leader who played a vital role in interfaith dialogue and spiritual guidance. 
• Mian Tansen was a musician who developed Hindustani classical music, and Raja Birbal Das was a minister who was known for his administration and diplomacy skills.

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Together, the nine jewels of akbar played a vital role in shaping the Mughal Empire's functioning and development during the reign of Akbar. Their expertise and contributions have been recognized and remembered as an essential part of Indian history and culture.

Name	Field	Contribution
Birbal	Courtier	Administration and diplomacy
Todar Mal	Finance	Land revenue system
Abul Fazl	Scholar	Akbarnama, Ain-i-Akbari
Faizi	Poet and Scholar	Literary works, translations
Raja Man Singh	Military	Military campaigns and administration
Abdul Rahim Khan-i-Khana	Poet and Minister	Literary works, administration
Fakir Aziao-Din	Religious leader	Interfaith dialogue, spiritual guidance
Mian Tansen	Musician	Development of Hindustani classical music
Raja Birbal Das	Minister	Administration and diplomacy

Study the article Decline of Mughal Empire here.

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