Delhi Sultanates were Persian speaking dynasties of Turkic and Afghan origin. They controlled India from 1210 AD to 1526 AD. Administration under the Delhi Sultanate was based on the Muslim laws also known as Shariat or Laws of Islam.

The primary responsibility of the Sultan and the nobles of the court was to observe that the laws of Shariat were followed in all the matters of the State. Candidates can read other NCERT Notes on History of Medieval India to prepare for UPSC IAS Prelims and Mains exam.

Timeline of Delhi Sultanates

• The city Delhi first became the capital of a kingdom under the Tomara Rajputs.
• In the middle of the twelfth century, they were defeated by Chauhans also known as Chahamanas of Ajmer.
• The reign of Delhi Sultanates started with the Slave Dynasty and ended with the Lodi Dynasty.

Delhi Sultanate: Central Administration

• The head of the Empire was Sultan and he/she possessed vast powers.
• The Sultan appointed other officials to take care of the administration.

Central Departments of Delhi Sultanates

Central Officers of Delhi Sultanates

Delhi Sultanate: Provincial Administration

• Delhi Sultanates divided their kingdom into several Iqtas, which were administered by Iqtadars.
• Iqtas were divided into smaller units such as Parganas, Shiqqs, and finally the Villages.
• The paragana was headed either by Amil or Munsif.

Provincial Officers of Delhi Sultanates

Delhi Sultanate: Local Administration

• In the local administration of the Delhi Sultanate, the smallest unit was the Village.
• The local administration of the Delhi Sultanates was carried out by the local officers along with the Panchayats.
• The officers in charge looked after various components such as Education, Sanitation, Justice, and Revenue.
• There was no interference by the Central Government in the Village administration.

Village level Officers of Delhi Sultanates

Delhi Sultanate: Revenue Administration

• The main source of revenue during the Delhi Sultanate period was land revenue.
• Revenue Administration under this period is majorly divided into two categories namely Judicial and Military Administration.

Delhi Sultanate: Iqta System

• The Iqtadari system was an administration system that evolved during the Delhi Sultan Iltutmish.
• Iqta system was first introduced by Muhammad of Ghur in 1206 AD but the institutional form was given by Iltutmish.
• Under this system, the kingdom was divided into large and small tracts of land known as Iqtas.
• These Iqtas were assigned to various people such as Officers, Nobles, and Soldiers to ease the flow of revenue collection and to lead towards flawless administration.
• The Iqtadars can transfer their Iqtas from one region to another region every 3-4 years.
• Small Iqtas were held by Individuals and the heads in charge were not given any administrative responsibilities.

• During the Delhi Sultanate period, the Iqta system underwent numerous changes.
• In the initial stages, Iqta was a revenue yielding piece of land.
• But during Firuz Shah Tughlaq’s reign, Iqta became hereditary.

Delhi Sultanate: Major Contributions

Art and Architecture

• Delhi Sultanate's architectures were a mix of both Indian and Islamic styles.
• There were 3 majorly developed styles of Architecture namely:
  • Delhi/Imperial style
  • Provincial style
  • Hindu architectural style
• The following table mentions some examples of famous buildings during the Mamluk/Slave, Khilji, and Lodi Period of the Delhi Sultanate.

Literature

• Delhi Sultanate period’s most popular scholars were Al Beruni, Zia-ul-Barani, Amir Khusrau among other notable scholars.
• This period is known for a large number of translations of Sanskrit works into Arabic and Urdu languages.
• The following table highlights some important works of major scholars of that time.

Delhi Sultanates: Disintegration

• The Delhi Sultanate’s disintegration began during the Tughluq period.
• Timur's invasion along with the incompetence and intolerance of Sayyid and Lodi rulers also led to the collapse of the Delhi Sultanates.
• The smaller regions under Delhi Sultanates became independent. These regions include Assam, Bengal, Jaipur, Gujarat, Malwa, Sind, etc.
• The most notable regional areas that became independent from Delhi Sultanate include Vijayanagara and the Bahmani Kingdom.
• During the First Battle of Panipat, 1526 AD, Babur defeated Ibrahim Lodi and established Mughal Dynasty.

To get more information and study materials on History for UPSC IAS Prelims and Mains exam, candidates can check NCERT Medieval History Notes right here.

FAQs

Question: What was the administrative structure of the Delhi Sultanate?

Question: What were Iqtas in the Delhi Sultanate administration?

Question: How was justice administered during the Delhi Sultanate?

Question: What role did the Wazir play in the Delhi Sultanate?

Question: How did the Delhi Sultanate manage military affairs?

MCQs

1. The highest authority in the administration of the Delhi Sultanate was:

A) The Wazir

B) The Qazi

C) The Sultan

D) The Iqtadar

2. Iqtas during the Delhi Sultanate were primarily:

A) Military fortifications

B) Land grants given for administrative and military duties

C) Judicial courts

D) Religious centers

3. The Wazir in the Delhi Sultanate was responsible for:

A) Judicial administration

B) Military recruitment

C) Managing the state’s finances

D) Religious activities

4. The primary role of the Qazi in the Delhi Sultanate was to:

A) Lead military expeditions

B) Administer justice based on Islamic law

C) Collect taxes

D) Manage diplomatic relations

5. The Ariz-i-Mumalik was in charge of:

A) Provincial administration

B) Military affairs

C) Revenue collection

D) Religious activities

GS Mains Questions and Model Answers

Q1: Describe the administrative structure of the Delhi Sultanate and its key features.

Answer: The Delhi Sultanate's administration was centralized, with the Sultan at the apex, holding absolute authority over governance, military, and law. The central administration comprised key officials, including the Wazir (finance head), Ariz-i-Mumalik (military affairs), Qazi (judiciary), and Diwan-i-Insha (communication). Provinces, known as Iqtas, were managed by Iqtadars or governors who collected taxes and maintained troops for the Sultan. The administration emphasized efficient revenue collection, military control, and adherence to Islamic law, while also accommodating local customs. This system ensured the Sultan's dominance over a vast and diverse empire.

Q2: Explain the role and significance of the Iqta system in the administration of the Delhi Sultanate.

Answer: The Iqta system was a key administrative and revenue system in the Delhi Sultanate. Under this system, land assignments (Iqtas) were granted to military commanders and officials (Iqtadars) in exchange for collecting taxes and maintaining a contingent of troops for the Sultan. This decentralized arrangement enabled the central government to exercise control over distant provinces, ensuring military readiness and effective revenue collection. While it facilitated administrative efficiency, the system also posed challenges, such as the potential for powerful Iqtadars to become semi-independent, requiring careful oversight by the Sultan.

Q3: Analyze the role of the Wazir and the Diwan-i-Wizarat in the economic administration of the Delhi Sultanate.

Answer: The Wazir, heading the Diwan-i-Wizarat, was responsible for managing the state’s finances, including revenue collection, expenditure management, and economic planning. This office played a critical role in maintaining the financial stability of the Sultanate by ensuring efficient taxation and resource allocation. The Wazir advised the Sultan on economic policies and often wielded significant influence over administrative matters. The effective functioning of the Diwan-i-Wizarat was crucial for funding military campaigns, infrastructure development, and administrative functions, making it a cornerstone of the Delhi Sultanate's governance.

Previous Year Questions on Administration under the Delhi Sultanate

1. UPSC CSE 2020

Question: Evaluate the impact of the Iqta system on the stability and administration of the Delhi Sultanate.

Answer: The Iqta system had a significant impact on the stability and administration of the Delhi Sultanate by decentralizing governance and enabling efficient revenue collection. By granting Iqtas to military commanders and officials, the Sultan ensured local administration and military readiness without direct central intervention. This system contributed to administrative efficiency and facilitated control over vast territories. However, it also posed challenges, such as the risk of powerful Iqtadars asserting autonomy and weakening central authority. Balancing the Iqtadars' power and maintaining loyalty were critical to the Sultanate's stability and effective governance.

2. UPSC CSE 2019

Question: Discuss the role of the Wazir in the administrative and economic management of the Delhi Sultanate.

Answer: The Wazir played a central role in the administrative and economic management of the Delhi Sultanate by heading the Diwan-i-Wizarat (finance department). Responsible for revenue collection, expenditure control, and economic planning, the Wazir ensured the financial stability necessary for running the administration and conducting military campaigns. The Wazir also advised the Sultan on economic policies, supervised land revenue assessments, and managed state expenditures. This position was pivotal in maintaining the Sultanate's economic strength and in ensuring resources were allocated effectively to meet administrative and military needs.