A detailed exploration of Akbar's administrative framework, highlighting the roles of key officials like faujdar, amalguzar, and mir bakhshi, and the division of powers under the Mughal Empire.
Akbar’s Administrative Organization
The administrative organization of Akbar’s empire reflects a unique balance of central and local governance, division of powers, and effective checks. His reforms in local government, central government, military, and intelligence were crucial in shaping Mughal administration. This topic is highly important for students and exam preparation as it highlights Akbar’s administrative genius (16th century) and its impact on governance in Indian history.
Akbar’s Administrative Organization: Local Government, Central Structure, Division of Powers, and Military System (16th Century)
Akbar maintained the existing framework of local government while ensuring revenue uniformity.
Hardly any changes were made by Akbar in the organisation of local governance, but revenue assessment and supervision were emphasized.
(i) The pargana and the sarkar continued as before.
(ii) The faujdar handled law and order; the amalguzar managed land revenue collection.
(iii) Territories were divided into jagir, khalisa, and inam; khalisa went to the royal treasury, inam to religious men, jagirs to nobles and royals.
(iv) The amalguzar supervised all holdings to ensure revenue uniformity, while rajas were encouraged to adopt imperial systems.
Reorganization of Central Government under Akbar
Akbar revived and reorganized the central government with detailed departmental rules and careful restructuring.
Delhi Sultanate Influence and Reform
(i) Akbar’s system was modeled on the Delhi Sultanate but refined with strict regulations.
(ii) Departments were reorganized with defined roles.
(iii) Akbar breathed new life into administration with his reforms.
Division of Power and Checks in Akbar’s Administration
Akbar diluted the dominance of the wazir and ensured a balanced system of checks and accountability.
Role of Wazir and Diwan
(i) Traditionally, the wazir was the principal authority, but Akbar limited its powers.
(ii) The wazir remained head of revenue but lost political dominance.
(iii) Akbar preferred using the title diwan or diwan-i-ala.
(iv) Several diwans could share duties; they oversaw income, expenditure, khalisa, jagir, and inam lands.
Division of Powers and Nobility
(a) Important nobles often held higher mansabs than the wazir.
(b) The wazir was no longer the emperor’s adviser but a technical expert in finance.
(c) The principle of shared authority reduced risks of concentrated power.
Military and Intelligence Organization under Akbar
The military and intelligence system was organized under the mir bakhshi with checks from the diwan and other officers.
Role of Mir Bakhshi
(i) The mir bakhshi was head of the military and intelligence.
(ii) Recommendations for mansabs went through him before diwan confirmation.
(i) Inam lands were given to individuals of all faiths.
(ii) At least half of each inam grant was cultivable wasteland to promote agriculture.
(iii) Empire was divided into six circles for efficient inam management.
Provincial Administration – Subas (1580)
(a) Akbar divided the empire into 12 subas in 1580: Bengal, Bihar, Allahabad, Awadh, Agra, Delhi, Lahore, Multan, Kabul, Ajmer, Malwa, Gujarat.
(b) Each suba had a subedar, diwan, bakhshi, sadr, qazi, and waqia-navis.
(c) Provincial governance mirrored the center with checks and balances.
Daily Routine of Akbar
(i) Akbar appeared daily at the jharokha for petitions.
(ii) Public darbars (diwan-i-am) were held till midday.
(iii) Ministers had allotted times; confidential meetings occurred in the ghusal khana.
Summary of Akbar’s Administration
The administrative organization of Akbar combined local government continuity with central government reorganization, division of powers, and strong military and intelligence systems. His reforms reduced concentrated authority, promoted efficiency, and ensured checks and balances in both central and provincial levels. For students, this topic is crucial to understand 16th-century Mughal governance and its lasting influence on Indian administration.
