• The development of Mughal administration was primarily the work of Akbar. The ideas and principles on which it evolved were different from those of the Delhi Sultanate.
• Due to lack of time and opportunity in case of Babur and lack of inclination and ability in case of Humayun, an elaborate system of civil government remained a myth. It was largely due to the establishment of an administrative apparatus by Sher Shah that Akbar could lay the edifice of a systematic structure in administration.
• The Mughal state was essentially military in nature where the word of the emperor was law. The administrative structure was highly centralized in nature.

Emperor:

• Our ancient traditions have always supported a strong ruler. Thus, the concept of divine origin by monarchy could easily find credence among the Indian people.
• It is in line with this that the Mughals publicized the Jharokha darshan in which the emperor appeared before the general public at an appointed hour. Large number of people assembled daily to have a glimpse of the ruler and to present petitions to him which was attended to immediately or in the open darbar (diwan-i-am) which followed and lasted till midday.
• The emperor being the head of administrative machinery enjoyed the final authority in civil, military and judicial matters. All administrative officers under the Mughals owed their power and position to the Emperor.
• Though the king enjoyed absolute power, he appointed a number of officers in different departments of the government for the transactions of the multitudinous affairs.

Wazir:

• The institution of Wazir enjoyed both civil and military powers both under Delhi sultans and the Mughals. The position of the wazir revived under the early Mughals.
• Babur’s wazir was Nizamuddin Muhammad Khalifa enjoyed both the civil and military powers; Humayun’s wazir Hindu Beg also virtually enjoyed great powers. It was under Bairam Khan’s regency that the wazir saw unprecedented rise in power.
• Akbar retained the post of Wazil but stripped of all its power and hence it became largely decorative. The post was given to important nobles from time to time, but they played little part in administration.
  • The head of revenue department continued to be the Wazir. He was no longer the principle adviser to the ruler but an expert in revenue affairs.
  • To Emphasise this point Akbar in his eighth regnal year took away the financial powers of the wakil and entrusted it into the hands of the Diwan-i-kul (Finance Minister).
    • However, the wakil continued to enjoy the highest place in the Mughal bureaucratic hierarchy despite reduction in his powers.

Diwan-i-Kul:

• The Diwan was the finance minister responsible for collection of revenue and remittance of it to the imperial treasury and check all accounts.
• Akbar strengthened the office of the diwan by entrusting the revenue powers to the diwan. He was responsible for all incomes and expenditure held control over Khalisa, jagir and inam lands.
  • He personally inspected all transactions and payments in all departments. His seal and signatures were necessary for the validation of all official papers involving revenue.
  • The entire revenue collection and expenditure machinery of the Empire was under his charge. No fresh order of appointment or promotion could be affected without his seal.

Mir Bakshi:

• The Mir Bakshi was the paymaster – general and the administrator of the army. All orders of appointments of mansabdars and their salary papers were endorsed and passed by him.
• He personally supervised the branding of the horses (dagha) and checked the muster-roll (chehra) of the soldiers.
• It was Mir Bakshi and not the diwan who was considered the head of the nobility. The mir bakshi was also the head of the intelligence and information agencies of the empire. Intelligence officers (barids) and news reporters (waqia-navis) were posted to all ports of the empire.
• Mir Bakshi placed all matters pertaining to the military department before the Emperor. His duty was to check whether proper places were allotted to the mansabdars according to their rank at the court. His darbar duties considerably added to his prestige and influence.

Mir Saman:

• The Mir Saman was the officer incharge of the royal karkhanas. He was the chief executive officer responsible for the purchase of all kinds of articles and their storage for the royal household.
• Another important duty was to supervise the manufacture of different articles, be it weapons of war or articles of luxury.
• He was directly under the Emperor but for sanction of money and auditing of accounts he was to contact the diwan. Only nobles who enjoyed the complete confidence of the emperor were appointed to this office.

Sadr-us Sudur:

• The Sadr -us-Sudur was the head of the ecclesiastical department. His chief duty was to protect the laws of the Shariat.
• He was also connected with the distribution of charities – both cash and land grant. He also looked into whether the grants were given to the right persons and utilized properly.

Chief Qazi:

• The Judicial department was headed by chief Qazi.
• This post was sometimes combined with that of Sadr-us sudur. It was a post which considerable power and patronage.