The Sultanate of Delhi, 711–1526 A.D. c7.s2.3

c7.s2.3

*Ministers and their functions* : Every king had his ministers who were his nominees and servants. Their number was not fixed, and, in fact, could not be constant in all cases. Manu prescribes seven to eight ministers, a number which might have been generally followed. There were two types of ministers, namely, confidential advisers (*Mantrins*), and ministers properly so-called (*Sachivas*). To the latter category belonged (*a*) ministers of war and peace (*Sandhivigrahikas*), (*b*) ministers in charge of records (*Akshapataladhikrita*), (*c*) ministers in charge of military duties (*Mahabaladhikrita* and *Mahadandanayaka*), (*d*) finance ministers (*Amatya*), and (*e*) foreign ministers (*Sumant*). Besides, there was a *raj-guru* or *raj-purohit* whose rank was equal to a minister's and who held the portfolio of religion. There was no bar to militarymen holding a civil portfolio. Certain ministerships had become hereditary. All strings of policy being concentrated in the king's hands, the importance of a minister depended upon his ability, strength of character and loyalty and the degree of his sovereign's confidence in him. In matters which did not involve change of policy and in day-to-day administration, ministers must have enjoyed full powers over their respective departments.