POLITICAL THOUGHT AND INSTITUTIONS OF MEDIEVAL INDIA

ESTABLISHMENT OF MUGHAL DYNASTY Various Turko-Afghan dynasties ruled between 13 th and 16 th century: Slave Dynasty Khalgi Dynasty Tughluq Dynasty Lodhi Dynasty Kutubuddin Aibek, Razia, Balban, Allauddin Khalgi, Mahmud Tughluq main rulers of the period. Hindu Kingdoms of Vijaynagar, Orissa, Mewar and Kamrupa-Assam flourished during the period.

Turko-Afghan system of Government It is the predominant system of the period. It had a theological basis. Sultan’s authority rested on military might. A regular hierarchy of officers existed to assist the Sultan. ‘Wazir’ was the highest officer,others included Ariz-e-Mumalik, Sadre-e-sudur,Qazi-ul-Quzat.

FINANCIAL AND MILITARY ASPECTS Principal sources of revenue were ‘KHARAJ’, ‘KHAMS’ and land-revenue from the crownlands. Army had three main branches-infantry, cavalry and elephants. The kingdom was divided in provinces which were in charge of ‘Naib Sultans’.

THE MUGHAL EMPIRE In 16 th century the Afghan- Mughal contest for Supremacy in India resulted in the victory of Mughal under the leadership of Babur. Mughal Empire produced many great kings like Akbar, Jahangir, Shershah and Aurangzeb. Akbar laid the foundations of the Mughal system of government which was a combination of Indian and extra-Indian elements.

KINGSHIP AND NOBILITY Mughal government was a centralised autocracy.Emperor was the head of state, commander of armed forces, chief legislator and fountain of justice. Main officers of state: Diwan, Khan-e-Saman, Bakshi, Qazi, Chief Sadr Mughal nobility was a heterogeneous body of Turks, Tartars, Persians, Hindus. It was not able to check royal autocracy.

REVENUE AND ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE Akbar devised a sound revenue system with the help of Muzzaffar Khan Turbati and Raja Todar Mal. Speedy administration of justice. Justice was dispensed on the basis of scriptural injunctions, customary laws, and principles of equity.

MANSABDARI SYSTEM Empire was divided in provinces where ‘Sipah Salar’ was the head of civil and military administration. Mansabdari system, introduced by Akbar was ‘army, peerage and civil administration all rolled into one’. 33 grades of Mansabdars ranging from commanders of 10 to a commanders of 10,000.

CONCLUSION The Islamic political theory resulted in greater dogmatism of belief. There was amalgamation of religious and political authority Barni book ‘FATWA-I-JAHANDARI’ and Abul Fazal’s ‘AiN-I-AKBARI’ are main sources of information of Islamic political thought in India.

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