Mughal Administration c6.s7.10

c6.s7.10

The Sadar was judge and supervisor of the endowments of land made by the Emperor or by the princes for the support of pious men, scholars and monks. It was his duty to see that such grants were applied to the right purpose and also to scrutinize applications for fresh grants. Assistance was often given in cash also. The rent-free land granted bore the names of *sayurghal* (Turkish), *madad-i-māsh* (Arabic), *aima*, etc. The Sadar was also the Emperor's almoner and had the spending of the vast sums which the Emperors set apart for charity in the month of Ramzan and other holy occasions,—amounting to 1½ lakhs of Rupees in the reign of Aurangzib, and at Court ceremonies. The Sadar's position offered him boundless possibilities of enriching himself by means of bribes and peculation, and the Sadars of Akbar's reign were notorious for their venality and cruel spirit.