Question

With reference to the administrative system in the Mughal Period, answer the following question:

How was the provincial government organised?

Answer 1

The empire was divided into twelve provinces or subahs, which was further subdivided into sarkars and each sarkar into Parganas or mahals. Each Subah was headed by one governor who was called the subedar or sipah salar or Nazim. He was usually a mansabdar of high rank. His functions included maintenance of law and order, enforcement of imperial decrees, administration of criminal justice, and the smooth collection of revenue. The provincial diwan was in charge of the revenue administration of the province. His responsibilities were similar to those of the central diwan. Besides the subahdar and the diwan, the other important officials in the province were faujdar, kotwal, Bakshi, sadr qazi, and muhtasib.