The Sultanate of Delhi, 711–1526 A.D. c8.s9.1

c8.s9.1

After the above fateful decision, which gave the fundamentals of Islamic administration in India, Muhammad bin Qasim proceeded to lay down the general principles of administration. He divided the conquered province into a number of districts (*iqtas*), at the head of each of which an Arab military officer was appointed. The new district officers were required to render military service to the governor and were given a great deal of latitude in local administration. Sub-divisions of the district must have been allowed to remain intact with their local Hindu officers. Soldiers were given land in jagir. Muslim saints and scholars were similarly given endowments of land. Thus a number of Arab military colonies came into existence. The local administration, specially in the rural areas, remained completely in the hands of our people. The old principles and rules and regulations continued as before. If the Arabs made any change they were confined to the capital and the district towns only.