The Foundation of Muslim Rule in India: A History of the Establishment and Progress of the Turkish Sultanate of Delhi, 1206–1290 A.D. c14.40

c14.40

Besides these principal departments, there was the *barid-i-mamalik*, chief news writer of the kingdom under whom were numerous *barids*, posted in towns, bazars and in almost every inhabited locality². They reported every important incident to the chief who communicated them to the Sultan. Besides reporting on public affairs they also spied on the conduct of the local officials. In effect, the *barid-i-mamalik's* department combined the functions of an exclusive government news organization with those of the secret intelligence service³.