Consider the following statements regarding the central and provincial Administration of the Bahmani Kingdom:
1. The Bahmani rulers have copied the administrative structure of the Delhi Sultanate.
2. Provinces like Daultabad and Berar were ruled by a tarafdar.
3. Khalisa was excluded from the jurisdiction of the Tarafdar and reserved to cover the expenses of the king.
Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Statement 1 is correct: The Bahmanis seem to have copied the administrative structure of the Delhi Sultans. The king was at the helm of affairs, followed by wakil, wazir, bakhshi and qazi. Besides, there were dabir (secretary), mufti (interpreter of law), kotwal, muhtasib (censor of public morals). Munhiyans (spy) were appointed not only in every corner of their kingdom, but we are told that during Muhammad’s reign, munhiyans were posted at Delhi too. During Muhammad I’s reign, the Bahmani kingdom was divided into four atraf or provinces, i.e. Daultabad, Berar, Bidar and Gulbarga – each ruled by a tarafdar. Since Gulbarga was the most important province, only the most trusted nobles were appointed who were called mir naib (viceroy) – distinct from the governors (tarafdar) of other provinces.
Statement 2 is correct: During Muhammad I’s reign, the Bahmani kingdom was divided into four atraf or provinces, i.e. Daultabad, Berar, Bidar and Gulbarga – each ruled by a tarafdar. Since Gulbarga was the most important province, only the most trusted nobles were appointed who were called mir naib (viceroy) – distinct from the governors (tarafdar) of other provinces. Later on, as the boundaries of the kingdom expanded, Mahmud Gawan divided the empire into eight provinces. Certain parts of the empire were put under the direct control of the Sultan (khassa-i Sultani).
Statement 3 is correct:Certain parts of the empire, known as khalisa, were kept under the direct control of the Sultan (khassa-i Sultani) and were excluded from the jurisdiction of the tarafdars. These lands were reserved to cover the expenses of the king and the administration.
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