List of Officers in Delhi Sultanate

The Delhi Sultanate period extended from 1206 CE to 1526 CE and its effective administrative system
left a great impact on the Indian provincial kingdoms. Thus, officers were appointed in different
departments to look over the proper functioning of the kingdom.

The Delhi Sultanate was an Islamic State and its ultimate authority for the legal, military & political
activities was with the Sultan. Its administration was divided into multiple sections like Central,
Provincial, Judicial, Local, etc.

Central Departments under Delhi Sultanate

It was for more than 300 years that the Delhi Sultanate ruled over India and the five major dynasties
were:
● Slave Dynasty [1206-1290]
● Khilji Dynasty [1290-1320]
● Tughlaq Dynasty [1320-1413]
● Sayyid Dynasty [1414-1451]
● Lodi Dynasty [1451-1526]
The Administration under Delhi Sultanate was governed and directed by the Quranic injunctions and
head of the entire system was the Sultan.
Given below are the major departments in the central administration of the Delhi Sultanate:
Department Category of Function of the Department
Department

Incharge of foreign affairs and dealing with

Diwan-i-Risalat Department of appeals
diplomatic correspondences

Responsible for maintaining the royal army

Diwan-i-arz Department of Military and recruiting troops. This department was
introduced by Balban

Department of Incharge of pensions

Diwan-i-Ishtiaq
pensions

Diwan-i-Mustakhraj Department of arrears This was the department of revenue

Incharge of managing the agricultural

Department of
Diwan-i-kohi activities in the kingdom. This department
agriculture
was created by Muhammad Bin Tughlaq

In charge of the royal correspondence and

Department of
Diwan-i-insha the regulations set by the Sultans were the
correspondence
basis of law
 Diwan-i-Bandagan Department of slaves In charge of slaves

Diwan-i-Qaza Department of justice Managing justice in the empire

Diwan-i-Khairat Department of charity Incharge of charity in the kingdom

Delhi Sultanate Administration - List of Officers at Different Levels

Given below is the officers’ list in Delhi Sultanate under different levels of the entire empire.

Officers in Delhi Sultanate - Centre Level

Officer Role & Responsibilities

Wazir The Chief Minister and in charge of revenue and finances

Ariz-i-Mumalik Military Department head

Qazi The head of judicial department

Wakil-i-dar Controller of Royal household

Barid-i-Mumalik Head of state news agency

Amir-i-majlis In charge of Royal feasts & festivals

Council of friends and officers consulted on important affairs of the

Majlis-i-am
state

Dahir-i-mumalik Royal correspondence head

Naib wazir Deputy Minister

Mushrif-i-mumalik Accountant

Amir-i-hazib In charge of the Royal court

The minister of the department of religion. Enforced Islamic norms

Sadr-us-sudur
and ensured they were being strictly followed

Sadr-i-jahan In charge of religious matters and endowments

Amir-i-dad Public prosecutor

Shahna-i-pil Superintendent of Royal Elephants

Amir-i-bahr In charge of police & transport naval port

Qazi-i-mumalik Chief Justice

Qazi-ul-kazat Head of the chief judicial department

Amir-i-Akhur Officer commanding Royal Horses

Officers in Delhi Sultanate - Province Level

Officer Role & Responsibilities

Amir Governor

Responsible for law and order and collection of taxes in their iqtas
Mukti or Wali
(province)

Nazir or Wakuf Officials responsible for collecting revenue in the provinces

Maintained accounts of the provinces and sent them to the central

Sahib-i-diwan
administration

Shiqdar Officer in charge of land measuring a shiq

Officers in Delhi Sultanate - State Level

Officer Role & Responsibilities

Amil Revenue Officer

Barid Intelligence agents

Khwaja Accounts Officer

Kotwal Head of city law and order

Muhatasib Head of municipality law and order

Muftis Expounder of law