The Legacy of Muslim Rule in India c8.s3.7

c8.s3.7

The Diwan which dealt with religious charities was presided over by the Sadr-us-Sudur. The Diwan-i-Qaza, or the department of justice, was presided over by the Chief Qazi, and the two offices of the Chief Qazi and the Chief Sadr were generally held by one and the same person. Administration of justice⁹⁶ was given a place of importance in Islamic polity, and there were elaborate rules about administering justice to civil and military men.⁹⁷ Similarly there were detailed rules about the functioning of the police departments⁹⁸ and awarding of punishments.⁹⁹ One department of considerable importance was that of the Barid-i-Mumalik, who was the head of the State Information Bureau. Through this department the centre was kept informed of all that was happening all over the empire. A net-work of news agents or intelligencers was spread out in all localities. They acted both as secret information agents as well as open news-reporters. There were also a large number of spies in every place and chiefly in the houses of the nobles to report their affairs to the Sultan.