The Foundation of Muslim Rule in India: A History of the Establishment and Progress of the Turkish Sultanate of Delhi, 1206–1290 A.D. c14.43

c14.43

Another equally important department was the *diwan-i-qaza*, (judiciary) presided over by the *sazi-i-mamalik* (chief justice of the kingdom) who sometimes also held the office of the *Shei-khul Islam*, in charge of the ecclesiastical affairs. In the latter capacity he was known as the *Sadr-i-Jahan*, or *Sadrus-Sudur*, a designation which the chronicler Minhaj held on a number of occasions. As the king's advisor on religious affairs he controlled the educational establishments, led the Friday prayeyrs and appointed khatib and imam to local mosques. He was also the head of the ihtisab organization and controlled the large staff of muhtasibs, (religious and moral censors) placed in every Muslim locality. As the head of the judiciary, the chief qazi was responsible for the recruitment and posting of the judicial staff and working of the judicial institutions.