The Foundation of Muslim Rule in India: A History of the Establishment and Progress of the Turkish Sultanate of Delhi, 1206–1290 A.D. c14.34

c14.34

The third ministry was the royal chancellery, which Minhaj seems to designate as *diwan-i-ashraf* but which, subsequently and in general practice, was known as the *diwan-i-insha*². Its function was to draft royal proclamations and despatches and to communicate with the local executive officers. It had a large staff of secretaries, called *dabir*, the head or *sahib* was usually known as the *sadrul mulk*. The Sultan's private *dabir* was known as the *dabir-i-khas*. His duty was to accompany the king and, besides taking charge of his correspondence, to compile the *Fath Namah* (victory communique)³. The *sahib-i-diwan-i-insha* was in close touch with the Sultan and was the keeper of government records.