The Institutes of Akbar 6.2.3

6.2.3

2. The assistants of victory, the collectors and those entrusted with income and expenditure, who in the administration resemble wind, at times a heart-rejoicing breeze, at other times a hot, pestilential blast. The head of this division is the Vizier, also called Díwán. He is the lieutenant of the Emperor in financial matters, superintends the imperial treasuries, and checks all accounts. He is the banker of the cash of the revenue, the cultivator of the wilderness of the world. He must be a member of the Divine Faith, a skilful arithmetician, free from avarice, circumspect, warm-hearted, abstinent, active in business, pleasing in his style, clear in his writings, truthful, a man of integrity, condescending, zealous in his work. He is in reality a book-keeper. He explains all matters which appear too intricate for the Mustaufi; and whatever is beyond his own ability he refers to the Vakil. The Mustaufi, the Sáhib-i Taujíh, the Awárjah Nawís, the Mír-Sámán, the Názir i Buyútát, the Díwán i Buyútát, the Mushrif of the Treasury, the Wáqi’ah Nawis, the ’Amil of the domains, are under his orders, and act by the force of his wisdom.