֍ The institution of the Iqta had been in force in early Islamic world as a form of reward for services to the state.
֍ In the caliphate administration it was used to pay civil and military officers.
֍ After the establishment of the Sultanate iqta system was introduced by the Sultans.
֍ To begin with the army commanders and nobles were given territories to administer and collect the revenue.
֍ The territories thus assigned were called iqta and their holders as iqtadar or muqti.
֍ In essence this was a system of payment to the officers and maintenance of army by them.
֍ Gradually rules and regulations were laid down to organize the whole system.
֍ Through the years it became the main instrument of administrating the Sultanate.
֍ Further the sultans could get a large share of the surplus production from different parts of the vast territories through this system.
֍ From the 14th century we hear of Walis or muqtis who are commanders of military and administrative tracts called Iqta. Their exact powers varied according to circumstances.
֍ In due course the muqti was given complete charge of the administration of the iqta which included the task of maintaining an army.
֍ The muqti was to help the sultan with his army in case of need. He was expected to maintain the army and meet his own expenses with the revenue collected.
֍ From the time of Balban the muqti was expected to send the balance (fawazil) of the income to the centre after meeting his and the army’s expenses.
֍ This means that the central revenue department had made an assessment of the expected income of the Iqta, the cost of the maintenance of the army and the muqti’s own expenses.
֍ This process became even more strict during the time of Alauddhin Khalji.
֍ As the central control grew, the control over muqti’s administration also increased.
֍ The Khwaja (probably same as Sahib-i-Diwan) was appointed to keep a record of the income of the Iqtas. It was on the basis of this record that the Sultan used to make his revenue demands.
֍ A barid or intelligence officer was also appointed to keep the Sultan informed.
֍ During the reign of Muhmmad-bin-Tughlaq a number of governors were appointed on revenue sharing terms where they were to give a fixed sum to the state.
֍ During the time of Feroz Shah Tughlaq the control of state over iqtas was diluted when iqtas became hereditary.
Must read: Mansab system under the Mughals
Jagir system under the Mughals
External link: https://egyankosh.ac.in/bitstream/123456789/68915/3/Unit-9.pdf
PRACTICE QUESTIONS
QUES . Consider the following statements: UPSC 2019
1 . In the revenue administration of Delhi Sultanate, the in-charge of revenue collection was known as ‘Amil’.
2 . The Iqta system of Sultans of Delhi was an ancient indigenous institution.
3 . The office of ‘Mir Bakshi’ came into existence during the reign of Khalji Sultans of Delhi.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 1 and 2 only
(c) 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Ans (a) EXPLANATION: ֍ In the revenue administration of Delhi Sultanate, the incharge of revenue collection was known as ‘Amil’. Hence statement 1 is correct. ֍ lqta is an Arabic word and the institution had been in force in the early lslamic world as a form of reward for services to the state. It was used in the Caliphate administration as a way of financing operations and paying civil and military officers. It was not an ancient indigenous institution. Hence statement 2 is not correct. ֍ In Akbar’s administration, the military department was headed by Mir Bakshi which looked after all matters pertaining to the military administration. He was also considered as the head of nobility. Hence statement 3 is not correct
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