ICSE Class 7 Answered

In order to manage the vast territories of the Delhi Sultanate, sound administrative policies were followed. Some main features of the administration were:

• In the initial years, many slaves were appointed to important administrative posts. These were known as bandagan in Persian and were generally trusted by the sultans.
• The Khaljis and the Tughluqs also appointed many slaves to important positions. However, this also created the element of instability since the slaves were loyal to their masters but not to his successors.
• This also created a rift between the old nobility and the newly appointed nobility.
• The military commanders were also appointed as the governors of various territories.
• Sometimes, they were also given lands known as the iqtas and the land holder was known as the iqtadar or the muqti.
• The muqtis maintained an army and law and order in their iqtas. 
• Various accountants were appointed to check the revenues which were collected. An iqtadar could maintain soldiers up to a certain number only.
• Under the Delhi Sultanate, the powers of the rich and the wealthy landowners were reduced and they were forced to pay taxes.
• Under Alauddin Khalji and Muhammad Tughluq, taxes were claimed on cultivated land called KharajI, which was fifty percent of the produce.
• Taxes were also levied on cattle and houses.
• Several kingdoms in Sind, South India and Bengal repeatedly gained their independence from the Delhi Sultanate soon after their conquests. It was difficult for the sultans to manage them due to their far off locations.