The Administration of the Sultanate of Dehli c10.57

c10.57

Other ministers. There were three other main ministries, which, together with the *dīwān-i-wizārat*, were compared to four pillars supporting the vault of the state. The first in importance was the *dīwān-i-risālat* which dealt with religious matters, pious foundations, stipends to deserving scholars and men of piety. This office was presided over by the *ṣadr-u'ṣ-ṣudūr*, who, generally, was also the *qāḍī-i-mumālik*; in this capacity he controlled the department of justice.⁴ The *dīwān-i-risālat* and the *dīwān-i-qaḍā* were mostly looked upon as the branches of a common department. The *dīwān-i-ʿarḍ* was the office of the *ʿāriḍ-i-mumālik* who was the controller-general of the military department. His department maintained the descriptive rolls of the horses and men, while he himself was the inspector-general of the forces. This officer or his provincial assistants enlisted recruits and fixed their pay.⁵