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.Â
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.
List of Officers in Delhi Sultanate:-Download PDF Here
In this article, we shall discuss the different Officers in the Delhi Sultanate and the function each of them was assigned to perform in their respective departments. This constitutes an important topic under the UPSC CSE Syllabus and candidates must familiarise themselves with the list of these officers.Â
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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 the  head of the entire system was the Sultan.Â
Given below are the major departments in the central administration of the Delhi Sultanate:
| Department | Category of Department | Function of the Department |
| Diwan-i-Risalat | Department of appeals | In charge of foreign affairs and dealing with diplomatic correspondences |
| Diwan-i-arz | Department of Military | Responsible for maintaining the royal army and recruiting troops. This department was introduced by Balban |
| Diwan-i-Ishtiaq | Department of pensions | In charge of pensions |
| Diwan-i-Mustakhraj | Department of arrears | This was the department of revenue |
| Diwan-i-kohi | Department of agriculture | In charge of managing the agricultural activities in the kingdom. This department was created by Muhammad Bin Tughlaq |
| Diwan-i-insha | Department of correspondence | In charge of the royal correspondence and the regulations set by the Sultans were the 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 | In charge of charity in the kingdom |
Administration, socio-economic developments, rulers and officials under the Delhi Sultanate constitutes an important part of the IAS Exam history syllabus, candidates can know more about the Sultanate by referring to the links given below:
To know in detail about the Slave Dynasty (Sultanate of Delhi), candidates can refer to the video given below, curated by experts:
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 |
| Majlis-i-am | Council of friends and officers consulted on important affairs of the state |
| Dahir-i-mumalik | Royal correspondence head |
| Naib wazir | Deputy Minister |
| Mushrif-i-mumalik | Accountant |
| Amir-i-hazib | In charge of the Royal court |
| Sadr-us-sudur | The minister of the department of religion. Enforced Islamic norms 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 |
Get more UPSC Notes for Medieval Indian History in the linked article.
| Officers in Delhi Sultanate – Province Level | |
| Officer | Role & Responsibilities |
| Amir | Governor |
| Mukti or Wali | Responsible for law and order and collection of taxes in their iqtas (province) |
| Nazir or Wakuf | Officials responsible for collecting revenue in the provinces |
| Sahib-i-diwan | Maintained accounts of the provinces and sent them to the central 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 |
After the decline of the Delhi Sultanate, the Mughals entered India and took inspiration from their predecessors. There were similarities between the Mughal and Sultanate administrations. To read about the Officers in Mughal Empire, visit the linked article.Â
List of Officers in Delhi Sultanate:-Download PDF Here
Aspirants must also analyse the other important topics included in the IAS History Syllabus for a better understanding of the subject preparation.Â
For any further details, exam updates, study material and preparation tips, visit BYJU’S.Â
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