The head of the military department under the reorganised central machinery of administration during Akbar’s reign was

1. Evolution of the Mughal Administrative State (basic)

The evolution of the Mughal administrative state represents a fascinating shift from a nomadic, military-conquest regime into a sophisticated, centralized bureaucracy. While early rulers like Babur and Humayun were primarily occupied with territorial expansion, it was Emperor Akbar who institutionalized the state. He realized that governing a territory stretching from Afghanistan to Bengal required more than just military force; it required a uniform administrative framework that could integrate diverse regions and peoples into a unified nation (History, Class XI (Tamilnadu State Board 2024 ed.), The Mughal Empire, p.199).

At the heart of this evolution was the departmentalization of power. Instead of concentrating all authority in one hand, Akbar divided central responsibilities among specific officials to ensure checks and balances. The Diwan managed the empire's finances, while the Mir Bakhshi oversaw military affairs and the Khan-i-Saman looked after the royal household and public works (History, Class XI (Tamilnadu State Board 2024 ed.), Mansabdari System, p.206). This structural division meant that the state functioned as a machine with specialized parts, rather than just a personal extension of the Emperor’s will.

Central to this state-building was the systematic collection of data. The Ain-i-Akbari, authored by Abu'l Fazl, served as a massive compendium of imperial regulations and a gazetteer of the empire's resources. By documenting the varied customs, yields, and practices across different subas (provinces), the Mughal state could exert control from the center while understanding the local complexities of its vast territories (THEMES IN INDIAN HISTORY PART II, History CLASS XII (NCERT 2025 ed.), Peasants, Zamindars and the State, p.218).

Department Head	Primary Responsibility
Diwan	Revenue and Finance
Mir Bakhshi	Military administration and Mansabdari oversight
Khan-i-Saman	Royal household, stores, and internal workshops
Sadr-us-Sudur	Charity, religious endowments, and judicial matters

Sources: History, Class XI (Tamilnadu State Board 2024 ed.), The Mughal Empire, p.199; History, Class XI (Tamilnadu State Board 2024 ed.), Mansabdari System, p.206; THEMES IN INDIAN HISTORY PART II, History CLASS XII (NCERT 2025 ed.), Peasants, Zamindars and the State, p.218

2. The Pillars of Finance: Diwan-i-Kul (intermediate)

In the Mughal administrative framework, the Diwan-i-Kul (often referred to simply as the Diwan or Wazir) stood as the chief architect of the empire's economy. Under Emperor Akbar’s reorganisation, the central government was designed with a sophisticated system of checks and balances. To prevent any single official from becoming a threat to the throne, Akbar divided authority among four main pillars, with the Diwan handling the purse strings while the Mir Bakhshi handled military affairs. This meant that the head of the finance department was distinct and separate from the military leadership.

The primary responsibility of the Diwan-i-Kul was the supervision of the fiscal system. Since revenue from land was the "economic mainstay" of the Mughal Empire, the Diwan’s office (daftar) was vital for ensuring control over agricultural production and the collection of taxes across the vast territory THEMES IN INDIAN HISTORY PART II, Peasants, Zamindars and the State, p.213. The Diwan acted as the supreme authority over all revenue officials and record-keepers, ensuring that the state first acquired specific information about land productivity before fixing tax burdens.

Feature	Diwan-i-Kul	Mir Bakhshi
Primary Domain	Finance, Revenue, and Expenditure	Military Administration and Personnel
Key Task	Supervising zamindars and revenue collection	Oversight of the Mansabdari system and military accounts
Economic Role	Managing the Khalisa (crown) and Jagir lands	Ensuring soldiers were paid and branded (dagh)

Furthermore, the Diwan served as a crucial supervisor over the zamindars. While the zamindars were local intermediaries who collected rent from cultivators, they did not own the land—the state did. The Diwan’s representatives ensured that these intermediaries deposited the correct portion of revenue to the state treasury after withholding their own share Indian Economy, Vivek Singh, Land Reforms, p.190. One of the most famous figures to hold this position was Raja Todar Mal, an expert in revenue affairs who rose to become a trusted pillar of Akbar’s court, proving that talent and expertise in finance were paths to the highest levels of Mughal power History, Class XI (Tamilnadu State Board), The Mughal Empire, p.206.

Sources: THEMES IN INDIAN HISTORY PART II, History CLASS XII (NCERT 2025 ed.), Peasants, Zamindars and the State, p.213; Indian Economy, Vivek Singh (7th ed. 2023-24), Land Reforms, p.190; History, class XI (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.), The Mughal Empire, p.206

3. The Mansabdari System: The Backbone of Bureaucracy (intermediate)

At the heart of the Mughal administrative success was the Mansabdari System, a unique and highly organized bureaucratic framework introduced by Akbar. Unlike feudal systems where land was owned by nobles, the Mansabdari system was a centralized service where officials (Mansabdars) were appointed directly by the Emperor. This system was revolutionary because it integrated civil and military duties into a single service—meaning a Mansabdar could be a judge today and a general tomorrow History, class XI (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.), Chapter 14, p.206. To manage this massive bureaucracy, Akbar utilized a dual-ranking system known as Zat and Sawar. This allowed for precise control over an official's pay and their military responsibilities. This hierarchy ensured that every official knew exactly where they stood in the imperial court, with ranks ranging from humble commanders of 10 to high-ranking nobles of 10,000 Exploring Society:India and Beyond, Social Science, Class VIII, Chapter 2, p.54.

Feature	Zat Rank	Sawar Rank
Focus	Personal Status	Military Obligation
Determines	The official's salary and position in the royal hierarchy.	The specific number of horses and cavalrymen the official must maintain.

One of the most critical aspects of this system was its non-hereditary nature. A Mansabdar did not own the land assigned to him; he was merely assigned the right to collect revenue from a jagir (estate) to cover his salary and the cost of his troops History, class XI (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.), Chapter 14, p.207. To prevent officials from building local power bases, Akbar ensured they were regularly transferred and that their jagirs were resumed by the state upon their death. The Mir Bakhshi acted as the supreme head of the military department, overseeing recruitment, promotions, and the rigorous inspection of troops to ensure the empire's security was never compromised.

Sources: History, class XI (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.), Chapter 14: The Mughal Empire, p.206-207; Exploring Society:India and Beyond, Social Science, Class VIII . NCERT(Revised ed 2025), Chapter 2: Reshaping India’s Political Map, p.54

4. Land Revenue and Agrarian Administration (intermediate)

In the Mughal administrative framework, the land revenue system (known as Mal) was the financial backbone of the empire. Unlike previous systems that were often arbitrary, the Mughals, particularly under Akbar, moved toward a more scientific and systematic method of assessment. This was not just about collecting taxes; it was a sophisticated effort to balance the state's needs with the peasants' ability to pay. The Diwan was the central figure responsible for the empire’s finances, ensuring that the revenue machinery functioned smoothly from the capital down to the village level History, class XI (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.), The Mughal Empire, p.206.

One of the most revolutionary aspects of this system was the Dahshala System, perfected by Akbar’s finance minister, Raja Todar Mal. Instead of calculating revenue based on every single harvest, the state took a 10-year average of prices and yields. To ensure fairness, Akbar classified lands based on their cultivation continuity and fertility. This classification determined the tax burden, ensuring that a farmer with poor land wasn't taxed the same as one with highly fertile soil.

Land Category	Cultivation Frequency	Revenue Status
Polaj	Cultivated annually for every crop.	Highest revenue yielding; never left fallow.
Parauti	Left out of cultivation for a time.	Allowed to rest to recover its strength.
Chachar	Lain fallow for 3 to 4 years.	Lower revenue rate to encourage revival.
Banjar	Uncultivated for 5 years or more.	Lowest rate; often tax-exempt until brought under the plow.

THEMES IN INDIAN HISTORY PART II, History CLASS XII (NCERT 2025 ed.), Peasants, Zamindars and the State, p.214

To manage this on the ground, the empire was divided into revenue circles. The Amalguzar (or Amil) was the district-level officer responsible for the assessment and collection of revenue. They were instructed to be friendly to the productive peasants while being firm with the rebellious ones. This dual approach of scientific measurement (Zabti) and administrative oversight allowed the Mughal state to maintain a massive standing army and a lavish court while keeping the agrarian economy functional for over a century.

Sources: History, class XI (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.), The Mughal Empire, p.206; THEMES IN INDIAN HISTORY PART II, History CLASS XII (NCERT 2025 ed.), Peasants, Zamindars and the State, p.214

5. Provincial and Local Governance: Subas to Parganas (exam-level)

To manage an empire as vast as the Mughal state, a centralized authority was not enough; the administration had to be 'decentralized' into layers to ensure revenue collection and law and order. Akbar perfected this by dividing the empire into Subas (provinces). Initially, there were twelve Subas, each functioning like a miniature version of the central government. At the provincial level, the Subadar (Governor) held political power, but he was balanced by the Diwan, who supervised the fiscal system and reported directly to the central Diwan, ensuring a system of 'checks and balances' Exploring Society:India and Beyond ,Social Science, Class VIII, Chapter 2, p. 53. This prevented any single provincial officer from becoming powerful enough to challenge the Emperor. Moving down the pyramid, each Suba was divided into Sarkars (districts), and each Sarkar was further subdivided into Parganas (a cluster of villages). The Pargana was a critical administrative unit because it was the primary level where the state interacted with the local agrarian economy. Detailed records of these divisions—including topography, area, and assessed revenue (jama)—were meticulously maintained in the Ain-i-Akbari, specifically in the section known as Mulk-abadi Themes in Indian History Part II, History Class XII, Peasants, Zamindars and the State, p. 218. This data-driven approach allowed the Mughal state to penetrate deep into the rural landscape to fix and collect taxes. At the very base of this hierarchy was the Village. Interestingly, while the Mughal state was highly organized at the top, it largely left the traditional structures of self-governance at the village level undisturbed. The state was primarily interested in its economic mainstay: land revenue. Intermediaries like Zamindars (revenue collectors) played a vital role here. They didn't own the land—which theoretically belonged to the State—but they held the right to collect 'economic rent' from the cultivators, keeping a small percentage for themselves before passing the rest to the imperial treasury Indian Economy, Vivek Singh, Land Reforms, p. 190.

Level	Unit Name	Key Function
Provincial	Suba	Headed by Subadar; mirrored central ministries (Diwan, Bakhshi).
District	Sarkar	Intermediate level for administrative and military oversight.
Sub-District	Pargana	The engine of revenue administration; cluster of villages.
Grassroots	Village	Traditional self-governance; base unit for agricultural production.

Sources: Exploring Society:India and Beyond ,Social Science, Class VIII, Chapter 2: Reshaping India’s Political Map, p.53; Themes in Indian History Part II, History Class XII, Peasants, Zamindars and the State, p.218; Indian Economy, Vivek Singh (7th ed. 2023-24), Land Reforms, p.190

6. Central Officers: Khan-i-Saman and Sadr-us-Sudur (exam-level)

While the Mir Bakhshi managed the military and the Diwan controlled the treasury, the daily functioning and moral authority of the Mughal Empire rested with two other crucial central officers: the Khan-i-Saman and the Sadr-us-Sudur. These roles were essential for maintaining the Emperor's personal prestige and the empire's religious and judicial integrity.

The Khan-i-Saman (also known as Mir-Saman) was the High Steward of the Empire. Think of him as the Chief Operations Officer of the royal household. His responsibilities were vast, ranging from the management of the Haram and royal kitchens to the supervision of the Karkhanas (state-owned workshops) that produced luxury goods, weapons, and daily necessities. Interestingly, his role extended beyond the palace walls; he was also in charge of public works, trade, industry, and even aspects of agriculture Exploring Society: India and Beyond, Social Science, Class VIII, Chapter 2: Reshaping India’s Political Map, p. 53. Because he handled the Emperor’s personal requirements and the logistical backbone of the court, he was usually a man of immense trust and influence.

On the other hand, the Sadr-us-Sudur (or simply the Sadr) served as the head of the religious and judicial department. He was the "Chief Justice" and the "Minister of Religion" rolled into one. His primary duties included justice, religious matters, and education Exploring Society: India and Beyond, Social Science, Class VIII, Chapter 2: Reshaping India’s Political Map, p. 53. He was responsible for the distribution of royal charities (Madad-i-Maash) and oversaw the appointment of local judges, or Qazis. Under Akbar, the Sadr's power was carefully balanced to ensure that the administration remained efficient and that religious grants were not misused.

Officer	Primary Focus	Key Responsibilities
Khan-i-Saman	Household & Logistics	Royal household, Karkhanas (workshops), public works, trade, and industry.
Sadr-us-Sudur	Religion & Justice	Charitable grants, religious affairs, educational institutions, and judicial appointments.

Sources: Exploring Society: India and Beyond, Social Science, Class VIII, Chapter 2: Reshaping India’s Political Map, p.53

7. The Mir Bakshi: Head of the Military Department (exam-level)

At the heart of the Mughal administrative machinery sat the Mir Bakshi, the official responsible for the maintenance and organization of the military department. Under the reforms introduced by Emperor Akbar, the central administration was divided into distinct pillars to ensure a balance of power: the Diwan oversaw finances, the Khan-i-Saman managed the royal household, and the Mir Bakshi headed the military Exploring Society: India and Beyond, NCERT (Revised ed 2025), Chapter 2, p. 53. It is important to note that while the Emperor remained the Commander-in-Chief of all forces, the Mir Bakshi acted as the supreme clerk and paymaster of the army, ensuring that the military engine ran smoothly. The Mir Bakshi’s duties were deeply intertwined with the Mansabdari system. Since the Mughal nobility was organized into a hierarchy of ranks (Mansabs) that combined civil and military duties, the Mir Bakshi was responsible for maintaining the records of all Mansabdars. His primary tasks included:

• Recruitment and Review: Presenting candidates for military service and promotions before the Emperor.
• Quality Control: Supervising the Dag-h (branding of horses) and Chehra (descriptive rolls of soldiers) to prevent fraud History, Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed., Chapter 14, p. 206.
• Payment Certification: While the Diwan held the keys to the treasury, it was the Mir Bakshi who issued the sarkhat (pay certificate) after verifying that the Mansabdar had maintained the required number of troops and horses.

Beyond military logistics, the Mir Bakshi also oversaw the intelligence network of the empire. He received reports from the Waqia-navis (news reporters) and Barids (intelligence officers) stationed across the provinces. In later years, as the empire faced external threats, the role became even more critical; for example, during the invasions of Ahmad Shah Abdali, the office of Mir Bakshi was a position of immense strategic influence sought after by various power factions Rajiv Ahir, A Brief History of Modern India (2019 ed.), SPECTRUM, Chapter 3, p. 60.

Sources: Exploring Society: India and Beyond, NCERT (Revised ed 2025), Chapter 2: Reshaping India’s Political Map, p.53; History, Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed., Chapter 14: The Mughal Empire, p.206; Rajiv Ahir. A Brief History of Modern India (2019 ed.). SPECTRUM., India on the Eve of British Conquest, p.60

8. Solving the Original PYQ (exam-level)

Now that you have mastered the building blocks of Mughal administration, this question serves as a perfect test of your ability to synthesize those details. You have learned that Akbar did not just expand his empire through conquest, but through a centralized administrative machinery that integrated civil and military functions. This question specifically targets your understanding of the functional distribution of power. As you recall from the Mansabdari system, every official held a military rank, which necessitated a central figure to oversee recruitment, training, and the verification of troops across the empire.

To arrive at the correct answer, you must identify the official who acted as the paymaster general and the supervisor of the military establishment. While the Diwan (Option A) was the head of the revenue and finance department, and the Mir Saman (Option C) managed the royal household and imperial factories, the responsibility for military oversight rested with the Mir Bakshi. He was the one who certified the mansabdars' contingents and managed the branding of horses (dagh). Therefore, the Mir Bakshi stands out as the head of the military department, making (B) the correct choice. As noted in Exploring Society:India and Beyond, Social Science, Class VIII. NCERT (Revised ed 2025), this structural division was key to Akbar's reshaped political map.

UPSC often uses similar-sounding titles to create traps. For instance, while a Bakshi (Option D) might refer to a provincial official, the question asks for the head of the central machinery, which specifically points to the Mir Bakshi. This distinction is crucial; the Mir Bakshi was the linchpin who coordinated with the Emperor to appoint military officers, a role further detailed in History, class XI (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.). Always watch out for these nuances—the difference between a general official and a supreme departmental head is where most candidates lose marks.