In the Delhi Sultanat, an administrative unit called (Paragana' was headed by an official known as

1. Central Administration of the Delhi Sultanate (basic)

The Delhi Sultanate (1206–1526) introduced a highly centralized political system in India, marking a shift from decentralized feudal structures to a more concentrated form of monarchy. This era saw the rule of five successive dynasties: the Mamluks, Khiljis, Tughlaqs, Sayyids, and Lodis Exploring Society: India and Beyond, Reshaping India’s Political Map, p.25. At the apex of this hierarchy stood the Sultan, who was the absolute political, military, and judicial head of the state. His primary duties included defending the territory against foreign aggression, overseeing revenue collection, and maintaining personal contact with the people to ensure justice and welfare Exploring Society: India and Beyond, Reshaping India’s Political Map, p.53.

To manage such a vast and ethnically diverse empire—which included Turks, Persians, Arabs, and Central Asians—the Sultan relied on a sophisticated central bureaucracy History, class XI (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.), Advent of Arabs and Turks, p.136. While the Sultan held final authority, he was assisted by a formal council of ministers and high-ranking nobles who headed specialized departments (Diwans). This ensured that governance was not merely the whim of one individual but a structured system of administration. One of the most vital instruments of this central control was the Iqta system, where the Sultan assigned territories to nobles (Iqtadars) to collect taxes, which were then used to maintain the army and the state treasury Exploring Society: India and Beyond, Reshaping India’s Political Map, p.53.

The central administration was organized into four main pillars, each managed by a specific minister. The Wazir, or Prime Minister, headed the Diwan-i-Wizarat and was primarily responsible for finance and revenue administration. The Ariz-i-Mumalik led the Diwan-i-Arz, managing the military's recruitment, training, and equipment. For official state communication, the Diwan-i-Insha handled all royal correspondence, while the Diwan-i-Risalat (or Sadr-us-Sudur) dealt with religious matters, charities, and diplomatic relations.

Department (Diwan)	Head Official	Primary Function
Diwan-i-Wizarat	Wazir	Finance, revenue, and general administration.
Diwan-i-Arz	Ariz-i-Mumalik	Military recruitment, muster, and maintenance.
Diwan-i-Insha	Dabir-i-Khas	State correspondence and royal proclamations.
Diwan-i-Risalat	Sadr-us-Sudur	Religious affairs, grants, and foreign relations.

Sources: Exploring Society: India and Beyond, Social Science, Class VIII, Reshaping India’s Political Map, p.25, 53; History, class XI (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.), Advent of Arabs and Turks, p.136

2. The Iqta System and Provincial Structure (basic)

To understand how the Delhi Sultanate managed its vast territories, we must look at the Iqta System and the administrative layers that supported it. At its core, the Iqta was a unique land-grant system where the Sultan assigned the right to collect revenue from a specific territory to his officers (called Muqtis or Walis) in lieu of a cash salary. This wasn't land ownership; it was a delegated responsibility to maintain troops for the Sultan and manage local law and order using the collected revenue. As the empire grew, particularly under rulers like Iltutmish and Balban, the need for a tighter grip on these territories led to a more structured provincial hierarchy History, class XI (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.), Advent of Arabs and Turks, p.139.

The administrative structure was divided into smaller, manageable units. The empire was partitioned into Shiqs (provinces), which were further subdivided into Parganas (a group of villages). This hierarchy ensured that the Sultan's authority reached the grassroots level. Under the ruthless administration of Balban, for instance, governors who failed to maintain order or showed signs of rebellion were dealt with severely to ensure central authority remained unchallenged History, class XI (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.), Advent of Arabs and Turks, p.141. By the time of the Lodi dynasty, these units became highly standardized administrative centers.

At the Pargana level, two key officials held the reins of power, creating a balance between military force and financial management:

• Shiqdar: The chief executive officer of the Pargana. He was responsible for maintaining law and order and overseeing the general administration. Think of him as the "executive arm" who also provided military support when needed.
• Amil: The primary revenue officer. His job was to assess and collect taxes from the peasantry. While the Shiqdar held the sword, the Amil held the ledger.

It is important to distinguish these local officials from central ones like the Ariz-i-Mumalik, who was the head of the entire military department at the capital, not a local provincial officer. This tiered bureaucracy allowed the Sultanate to extract resources efficiently and maintain a standing army across a diverse landscape History, class XI (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.), Emergence of State and Empire, p.48.

Administrative Unit	Key Official	Primary Responsibility
Shiq (Province)	Shiqdar-i-Shiqdaran	General Administration / Law & Order
Pargana (Sub-district)	Shiqdar	Executive Head / Local Police functions
Pargana (Sub-district)	Amil	Revenue collection and Tax assessment

Sources: History, class XI (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.), Advent of Arabs and Turks, p.139; History, class XI (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.), Advent of Arabs and Turks, p.141; History, class XI (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.), Emergence of State and Empire, p.48

3. Military and Intelligence Organization (intermediate)

To understand how the Delhi Sultanate maintained control over a vast and often turbulent territory, we must look at how they bridged the gap between the central army and local governance. At the heart of the central military was the Diwan-i-Arz (the Military Department), headed by the Ariz-i-Mumalik. It is important to note that the Ariz was not the Commander-in-Chief (that was the Sultan), but rather the official responsible for recruitment, payment of salaries, and the periodic inspection of the troops. This central control was vital for ensuring that local governors did not become too powerful or independent. Moving from the center to the local level, the empire was divided into provinces (Shiqs) and further into smaller units called Parganas (a group of villages). In these Parganas, the Shiqdar emerged as the pivotal figure. The Shiqdar was the chief executive and military officer at the local level, tasked with maintaining law and order and providing the 'muscle' needed to ensure administrative stability. While the Amil (the revenue officer) focused on the technicalities of tax collection, the Shiqdar ensured the environment was secure enough for that collection to take place. Under the Lodi dynasty, the Shiqdar’s role became even more defined as the primary official in charge of both civil and military administration in a city or Pargana. No military state can survive without information, and the Sultans perfected an elaborate intelligence network. This was managed by the Barid-i-Mumalik, the head of the state news agency and postal system. Spies, known as Barids, were stationed across the empire to report on the activities of local officials and the mood of the public. This tradition of state surveillance has deep roots in Indian history; for instance, the Gupta administration utilized similar secret agents known as dutakas History, class XI (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.), The Guptas, p.94. By combining a strong central military office with firm local executive control through the Shiqdar, the Sultanate maintained a grip on the region of 'al-Hind' THEMES IN INDIAN HISTORY PART II, History CLASS XII (NCERT 2025 ed.), Through the Eyes of Travellers, p.117 for centuries.

Sources: History, class XI (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.), The Guptas, p.94; THEMES IN INDIAN HISTORY PART II, History CLASS XII (NCERT 2025 ed.), Through the Eyes of Travellers, p.117

4. Land Revenue and Rural Economy (intermediate)

To understand how the Delhi Sultanate maintained control over a vast and diverse agrarian landscape, we must look at the Pargana. While the Sultan ruled from the center and governors (Muqtis) managed large provinces, the Pargana served as the vital administrative bridge between the imperial state and the rural village. It was essentially a cluster of villages grouped together for the purposes of tax collection and local governance.

The administration of a Pargana relied on a delicate balance between military might and financial record-keeping. Two primary officials defined this unit:

• The Shiqdar: He was the executive head of the Pargana. His primary duty was to maintain law and order and ensure that the state's authority was respected in the countryside. He held civil and military powers, effectively acting as the "strong arm" of the Sultan at the local level.
• The Amil: While the Shiqdar handled security, the Amil was the chief revenue officer. He was responsible for the actual assessment and collection of taxes from the peasantry.

At the grassroots or village level, the state interacted with traditional local leaders. The Muqaddam (village headman) and the Patwari (village accountant) played indispensable roles in mediating between the individual cultivator and the Pargana officials Themes in Indian History Part II, Peasants, Zamindars and the State, p.201. This hierarchy ensured that the Sultanate could extract the Kharaj (land tax) efficiently.

Official	Primary Responsibility	Nature of Authority
Shiqdar	Law and Order / Administration	Executive and Military
Amil	Tax Collection / Revenue	Financial and Administrative

Under the Lodi dynasty, the role of the Shiqdar became even more pronounced, as they were often placed in charge of both cities and rural Parganas to ensure tighter central control. Beyond land revenue, the state also imposed religious taxes like Jizya, a head tax on non-Muslim subjects, which was first introduced in India by Qutb-ud-din Aibak and strictly enforced by later rulers like Firuz Shah Tughlaq History, class XI (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.), Advent of Arabs and Turks, p.147.

Sources: History, class XI (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.), Advent of Arabs and Turks, p.147; THEMES IN INDIAN HISTORY PART II, History CLASS XII (NCERT 2025 ed.), Peasants, Zamindars and the State, p.201

5. Evolution of Administrative Units: Shiq and Pargana (intermediate)

To govern a territory as vast and diverse as the Delhi Sultanate, the Sultans developed a tiered administrative structure that allowed them to project power from the capital down to the smallest village. At the highest level, the empire was divided into provinces known as Iqtas. However, as the Sultanate expanded—particularly during the Tughlaq era—these large provinces became difficult to manage. To solve this, the Shiq was introduced as a subdivision of the province, roughly equivalent to a modern-day district History, class XI (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.), Advent of Arabs and Turks, p.146.

Beneath the Shiq lay the Pargana, which was perhaps the most critical unit of local administration. A Pargana typically consisted of a cluster of villages and served as the primary interface between the state and the peasantry. The administration of a Pargana was a balancing act between two key officials:

• The Shiqdar: The chief executive and military officer of the Pargana. His primary duty was to maintain law and order, suppress local rebellions, and assist in the revenue collection process with his military force.
• The Amil: The revenue officer. Unlike the Shiqdar, the Amil's focus was purely economic—he was responsible for assessing land, determining tax yields, and ensuring the Sultan’s treasury was filled.

By the time of the Lodi Dynasty, the role of the Shiqdar became even more defined as the primary administrative head of the Pargana or city, handling both civil and military duties. While the central government had high-ranking ministers like the Ariz-i-Mumalik (who headed the entire central military department), it was the Shiqdar who represented the Sultan's authority on the ground in the rural districts History, class XI (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.), Advent of Arabs and Turks, p.136.

Sources: History, class XI (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.), Advent of Arabs and Turks, p.146; History, class XI (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.), Advent of Arabs and Turks, p.136

6. Key Local Officials and Their Functions (exam-level)

To understand how the Delhi Sultanate functioned, we must look beyond the Sultan’s court and into the grassroots. Just as modern India is divided into states, districts, and tehsils, the Sultanate developed a sophisticated administrative ladder. At the top was the Sultan, who held absolute authority as the political and military head Exploring Society: India and Beyond, Social Science, Class VIII, Reshaping India’s Political Map, p.53. However, for effective tax collection and law enforcement, the empire was divided into provinces (often called Shiqs or Iqtas), which were further subdivided into smaller administrative units called Parganas.

The Pargana was the most critical unit of local administration, serving as the bridge between the central government and the rural peasantry. Within the Pargana, two officials were paramount: the Shiqdar and the Amil. While their roles often overlapped in the pursuit of stability, they had distinct primary responsibilities. The Shiqdar was the chief executive and military officer of the Pargana, responsible for maintaining law and order and assisting in the revenue collection process. In contrast, the Amil (sometimes referred to as the Munsif) was specifically the revenue officer, tasked with the actual assessment and collection of taxes from the cultivators.

Official	Primary Function	Scope of Authority
Shiqdar	Executive & Law and Order	Chief officer of the Pargana; oversaw civil and military administration.
Amil	Revenue Collection	Tax assessment and direct interaction with peasants for land revenue.

By the time of the Lodi Dynasty, the role of the Shiqdar became even more institutionalized as the primary city or Pargana officer Exploring Society: India and Beyond, Social Science, Class VIII, Reshaping India’s Political Map, p.25. It is important to distinguish these local officials from central ministers like the Ariz-i-Mumalik (the head of the military department), who operated at the imperial level rather than the local Pargana level. This hierarchical structure ensured that even distant rural areas remained tethered to the Sultan's treasury through the Iqta system, where land grants were managed to sustain the army and the state Exploring Society: India and Beyond, Social Science, Class VIII, Reshaping India’s Political Map, p.53.

Sources: Exploring Society: India and Beyond, Social Science, Class VIII, Reshaping India’s Political Map, p.53; Exploring Society: India and Beyond, Social Science, Class VIII, Reshaping India’s Political Map, p.25; Rajiv Ahir. A Brief History of Modern India (2019 ed.). SPECTRUM., Peasant Movements 1857-1947, p.582

7. Solving the Original PYQ (exam-level)

Now that you have mastered the administrative tiers of the Delhi Sultanate—from the central Diwans to the local village units—you can see how UPSC tests your ability to map specific officials to their respective jurisdictions. This question requires you to synthesize your knowledge of the hierarchy: the Empire was divided into provinces (Shiqs), which were further subdivided into Parganas. The Pargana served as the vital link between the provincial administration and the grassroots village level, and identifying its leader is a classic test of your understanding of local governance.

To arrive at the correct answer, recall the functional roles within these units. While a Shiq was headed by a Shiqdar-i-Shiqdaran, at the Pargana level, the executive authority and responsibility for maintaining law and order rested with the (A) Shiqdar. Especially under the Lodi dynasty, as noted in NIOS History and IGNOU History (E-GyanKosh), the Shiqdar acted as the chief officer overseeing both civil and military administration within this specific unit. Therefore, when asked for the official who "headed" the unit in a general administrative sense, the Shiqdar is the definitive choice.

A common trap in UPSC questions is the inclusion of officials who worked in the same unit but held different functional roles. For example, the Amil (Option D) was indeed a Pargana-level officer, but he was specifically a revenue officer responsible for tax collection rather than the general administrative head. Similarly, the Ariz (Option C) refers to the Ariz-i-Mumalik, who was a high-ranking central official heading the military department (Diwan-i-Arz), not a local officer. By distinguishing between executive heads and departmental specialists, you can easily eliminate these distractors.