Question 60 from UPSC CSE 2019 - Medieval History

Question

Consider the following statements:
1. In the revenue administration of the Delhi Sultanate, the in-charge of revenue collection was known as 'Amil'.
2. The Iqta system of the Sultans of Delhi was an ancient indigenous institution.
3. The office of 'Mir Bakshi' came into existence during the reign of the Khalji Sultans of Delhi.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Accepted Answer

Correct Option: A. 1 only

Strategy: - Confirm statement 1 by identifying 'Amil' as the revenue collector in the Delhi Sultanate.
- Disprove statement 2 by recognizing 'Iqta' is of Islamic (Arabic) origin, not indigenous to India.
- Disprove statement 3 by associating 'Mir Bakshi' with the Mughal administration, not the Delhi Sultanate or Khalji Sultans.

Key Info: **Amil**
In the Delhi Sultanate's revenue administration (notably under rulers like Alauddin Khalji and later Tughlaqs), 'Amil' referred to government officials responsible for collecting land revenue from peasants, overseeing assessment, and maintaining local records. Their appointment and functioning were strictly supervised to ensure efficiency and curb corruption.

**Iqta System**
'Iqta' is an Arabic term signifying a revenue assignment. Under early Islamic rule (Caliphate), 'Iqta' referred to land revenue grants assigned to military commanders or nobles in lieu of salary. Sultans of Delhi adopted this system to reward nobles and maintain efficient military and administrative control. Iqtas were not ancient or indigenous to India but were imported with the advent of Turkish-Muslim rule. Iqtadars (officers in charge) were answerable for the collection and remittance of revenue, troop maintenance, and law and order.

**Mir Bakshi**
The office of 'Mir Bakshi' was a prominent feature of the Mughal administrative system, especially formalized under Akbar in the 16th century. The Mir Bakshi was responsible for military administration, management of mansabdars, and distribution of pay and rewards. The position did not exist as such during the rule of Delhi Sultanate (i.e., Khalji or earlier); under the Sultanate, other designations like 'Ariz-i-Mamalik' were used for military affairs. Khalji Sultans (1290–1320 CE) had not yet created the Mir Bakshi post.

**Delhi Sultanate**
The Delhi Sultanate (1206–1526 CE) included several dynasties—Slave, Khalji, Tughlaq, Sayyid, and Lodi. Its revenue and administrative systems were central to state functioning, laying the groundwork for later Mughal systems.

Answer

Option B: 1 and 2 only

Answer

Option C: 3 only

Answer

Option D: 1, 2, and 3