Briefly discuss the central and provincial administrative structure of the Mughal administrative system.

The Mughal Empire was a powerful empire that ruled over a large part of the Indian subcontinent during the 16th and 17th centuries. The Mughal administrative system was one of the most advanced systems of governance in the world at that time. The system was based on the principles of centralization, hierarchy, and efficiency. The emperor was at the top of the administrative hierarchy, and he was supported by several officials and ministers who helped him in managing the empire.

The Mughal administrative system was centralized, with the empire divided into several provinces, each governed by a Subahdar, who was appointed by the emperor. The Subahdar was responsible for managing the province’s administration, supported by officials like the Diwan, responsible for revenue collection, and the Faujdar, responsible for the recruitment and payment of soldiers. The Mughal Empire had a total of 15 provinces, and each province was further divided into smaller units called Sarkars, which were headed by the Sarkar-i-Daroga.

The Mughal Empire had a complex revenue system that played a crucial role in its administration. The Diwan was responsible for revenue collection and was assisted by officials like the Kanungo and the Patwari. The revenue collected from each province was sent to the central treasury, where it was recorded in detailed registers known as the Amal-guzar.

The Mughal administrative system also had a system of checks and balances to prevent corruption and abuse of power. Each official was accountable to a higher authority, and there were systems in place to ensure the proper functioning of the system. For example, the emperor appointed a group of spies known as the Barids, who kept a watchful eye on the officials and reported any wrongdoing to the emperor.

Apart from the administrative officials, the Mughal Empire also had a number of other officials who were responsible for the administration of justice, religious affairs, and the royal household. The Qazi was responsible for the administration of justice, and the Sadr was responsible for the administration of religious affairs. The Mir Atish, on the other hand, was responsible for the royal household’s administration, including the management of the emperor’s personal treasury.

The Mughal administrative system was known for its efficiency, fairness, and advanced governance. The empire was prosperous, and its economic growth was largely attributed to the efficiency of its administrative system. The Mughal Empire’s sophisticated system of governance was admired by other empires, and it served as a model for many other countries.

In conclusion, the Mughal administrative system was one of the most advanced systems of governance in the world during the 16th and 17th centuries. The system’s efficiency and sophistication were attributed to its centralized structure, complex revenue system, and the checks and balances that prevented corruption and abuse of power. The Mughal administrative system played a crucial role in the development of the Indian subcontinent, and its influence can still be seen in modern-day India.