Mughal Administration c7: Chapter III.

Mughal Administration c7

Language: English

c7.s1 § 1. Diwān or Chancellor of the Exchequer. — 12 parts
c7.s2 § 2. Records that had to reach the Diwan's office. — 17 parts
c7.s3 § 3. Individual diwans' modes of transacting business. — 14 parts
c7.s4 § 4. Duties of the Diwan of Crownlands. — 27 parts
c7.s5 § 5. Duties of the Diwan of Tankha. — 11 parts
c7.s6 § 6. Duties of the High Steward. — 38 parts
c7.s7 § 7. Duties of the Buyutat. — 20 parts

Chapter III.

§ 1. Diwān or Chancellor of the Exchequer.

The Exchequer was presided over by the High Chancellor (*Diwān-i-ala*), who bore the courtesy title of wazir, and had two assistants called the *Diwān-i-tan* (or *Diwān* of Salaries) and the *Diwān-i-khālsa* (or *Diwān* of Crownlands.)

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The term *diwān* has been derived by orientalists from a hypothetical Iranian word *diwān*, connected with *dabir*, meaning ‘writer’,—(like the Turkish official title *bitikchi* which means ‘writer.’) The first use of the word *diwān* was in the sense of the public register of receipts and expenditure kept in Greek (in Syria and Egypt) and in Pahlavi (in Persia) in the early years of the Arab conquest. The name next passed to the officers of the Treasury and thence extended to the government of the Abbasid Khalifs, and in Saladin’s time to the Khalif himself. (*Encyclopædia of Islam*, i. 979.)

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We can get a clear general idea of the High Diwan’s position and duties if we bear the following facts in our mind:

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(a) He was the intermediary between the Emperor and the rest of the official world.

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(b) Practically all official records (except those of a technical character or containing minute details) had to be sent to his office for his inspection and storage under his control. His was the Public Records Office.

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(c) Abstracts of all transactions and payments in all departments (except the smallest) had to be inspected and criticised by him.

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(d) No order for appointment (except that of menials, workmen and privates in the army), promotion or large payment could have effect without his written sanction.

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(e) He kept in his own hands the threads of the revenue collection and expenditure in all parts of the empire and often in great detail, and the Emperor kept his finger on the pulse of State finance by means of the abstracts which the diwan had to submit to him almost daily, and also by frequently asking him to read the details out.

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(f) Within certain limits he was given full discretion as to what matters he should report to the Emperor and take his orders on them, and what matters not.

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(g) He was the embodiment of the Government on the administrative side and had to give formal leave (rukhsat) to all high officers on their appointment, charge them solemnly with their duties, and receive regular reports from them on the state of their provinces.

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(h) The provincial diwāns were constantly and minutely controlled and guided by him from the imperial Court. Revenue was his own special department, and these diwans and their underlings stood in direct contact with him.

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(i) His seal and signature were necessary for the validation of most papers (including copies of the Emperor's writings or reports of his verbal orders) and the authentication of the true copies of nearly all official documents.

§ 2. Records that had to reach the Diwan's office.

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Cash balances (*tahvils*) the records of which must go to the office of the diwan :

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I. Those whose *siāha* and *āwārija** alike are sent to the diwan's office:

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The funds (*khāzinah*) of—

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1. *Itbā’*, meaning, followers, retinue or staff.

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2. *Ahadis* (gentlemen troopers)

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3. Rewards (*inā’m*)

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4. Cash inside the *mahal* (female apartments)

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5. The deer-park

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∗ *Siāha*—The daily ledger or account book of the receipts and disbursements......specifying all sums received, whether regular or miscellaneous, and all items of disbursement, whether customary or incidental.

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*Āwārija*—An abstract account of receipts and disbursements; a rough note-book (Wilson's *Glossary*, 481 and 40).

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6. Recovery of aids or advances to officers (bāz-yāft-i-musā‘idat)
7. Arrears (baqāyā)
8. Barq-andāzes (door-keepers, or guards armed with sword and shield)

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9. Fines
10. General expenditure (kharch-i-kul)
11. Cattle food (khurāk-i-dawāb)
12. Menial servants (shāgird-pesha)
13. Bahlah. “By order of His Majesty, a person of known integrity keeps in the public audience hall some gold and silver for the needy, who have their wants relieved without delay...His Majesty entrusts to one of the nobility a large sum, a part of which is carried in a purse (called in Hindi, bahlah). This is the reason why such disbursements are called in the language of the country kharch-i-bahlah.” (Ain. i. 15.) [I do not prefer the other reading, Bahlia or foot-musketteers.]

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14. Cash in exchange of jagir (‘iyuz-i-jāgir)
15. The Lady Begams
16. Hire of porters and transport animals (kirāyā)

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17. Nim-gosht and pāo-gosht [Ain. i. 217.]
18. Ready-money (mablaghi)?
19. Advances (musā‘idat)
20. Nazar to the Emperor
21. Minting (zarābat.)

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22. Damage to crops (*pāimāli-i-zarā‘at*) .
23. The servants (*khādimān*) of the mahal (i.e., harem) ...... II. Those funds of which the *siāha* is not sent, but only the *āwarija*, to the Diwān’s office :
1. The butler’s department (*ābdār-khānah*)
2. Articles in the Octagonal tower (of Agra fort)
3. *Asbab-i-mablaghi*.
4. *Ajnās* (various wares.)
5. Ewer-holder’s department (*āftābchi-khānah*)
6. Smithy.
7. Kitchen with four branches
8. Records (*basta-khānah*)
9. Betel-leaf department,—(a) betel-leaf and (b) vessels for the same
10. *Bhanda-khānah* (large earthen pots)
11. *Top-khānah*, here meaning not the general Artillery department, but the musketeers and artillerymen guarding Delhi palace and forming the Emperor’s escort. I reject the alternative reading, *naubat-khānah* or band room.
12. Litter (*chaudol-khānah*)
13. Chinaware store.
14. Store of small shells or *kauri* (*khar-muhra*)
15. Leather goods store.
16. Prayer carpet store (*jā-namāz khānah*).
17. Slaughter house.
18. *Charkhi-khānah* (fire-works)?
19. Scents
20. Palace buildings 21. Fodder of oxen
22. Fodder of camels [text reads *tigers*]
23. Department for setting oyster shells (*khatam bandi khānah*)
24. Covers of the trays of food
25. Balance room (*dandi-khānah*)
26. Cauldron store, copper vessels
27. Tray store
28. Gold embroidery store.
29. Saddle store.
30. The reins of carriages (*sutla khānah*)
31. *Sukh-sajyā*,* or cosy bed.
32. Trappings (*rakhwat*) department with four branches—(*a*) trappings for [hunting] leopards, (*b*) for elephants, (*c*) for haveli and (*d*) for *bārish-khānah* (monsoon house)
33. Lamps and candle store.
34. *Sharbat khānah* (drink.)
35. Sandalwood-ware store.
36. Plate and saucers, consisting of (*a*) goldware, (*b*) copperware, (*c*) damascened-ware, and (*d*) *Kirkirā qi* (See X § 15.)
37. Food of animals.
38. Standard and arms department,—the cash servants of the branches of (*a*) standards, (*b*) swords, (*c*) maces and (*d*) spears.

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∗ *Sukh-sajyā* is a Sanskrit word meaning ‘cosy bed’. Aurangzib carried it with him in the Deccan as we find from the Court-bulletins of 1701-2. The *Ain-i-Akbari* (ii. 122) describes a *sukh-āsan* (or cosy litter) used by the rich men of Bengal in travelling.

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39. Library
40. Gongs (*ghariāli*)
41. Torches
42. Earthen pots
43. Fruits
44. Sadānand [*ganjā* or any other special intoxicant]
45. Pictures
46. Silverware
47. Food of the *shir* (hunting leopards) [Z. 13*b*—14*b*].

§ 3. Individual diwans' modes of transacting business.

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We can get a clear idea of the High Diwan's office-work and method of transacting business from the recorded practice of some of the famous diwans of the middle of the 17th century. (D. 101*a*—102*a*.) Sadullah Khan (the most famous wazir of Shah Jahan) used to proceed in the following way:

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First he read the letters received and replied to them. Then he selected the applications of the *tankhā* department which were fit to be accepted, and submitted them to the Emperor with reasons for their acceptance, after signing his name at the bottom. Next, the papers of the department of rent-free land grant (*āima*) were signed. Thereafter the abstract memos (*yād-dāsht*) of the amin's office were signed by him. Finally he gave a hearing to the plaintiffs. Before leaving office he used to listen to the agents (of the princes, governors and other nobles) who pressed their requests.

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The distribution-list of the chauki (i.e., mounting guard round the palace on different nights by different nobles), was signed by him in the morning before all other work.

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He used to draft the royal letters in private, but urgent ones were composed by him in his office room.

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Jafar Khan’s office-procedure was the following:—First he drafted the farmans and urgent letters. Then he read the papers of the tankhā office, applications (arzi) and orders (parwānahs.) Next he immediately took into consideration any paper of the Khālsa department, or any naqdi or abstract-memo, etc., that any one submitted to him, disposed of it, and then applied himself to other business.

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Between the death of Sadullah Khan (7th April, 1656, O.S.), and the installation of Mir Jumla as his successor (7th July, 1656), and also during 1657—1663 Rajah Raghunath acted as officiating diwān. He used to conduct the work of the Exchequer thus:—

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He reported to the Emperor the purport of the petitions received, in the same manner as the High Diwan, and then placed the papers before His Majesty. After drafting the royal letters (farmāns) he submitted them to the Emperor, after whose approval they were written out fair. On the attested copies (tasdiqāt) of the mandates (risālah) of the diwan,—according to which the abstract memos were drawn up,—he used to write, ‘Incorporate with the report of events (wāqia.)’ On the abstract-memos of the *wāqia* he wrote ‘Bring to His Majesty’s ears a second time (*arz-i-mukarrar*, for confirmation) and compare with the original *wāqia*.’*

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On the abstracts of *wāqia*,—according to which the *farmāns* were written,—he wrote ‘Write an imperial farman [on the subject.]’ He put his signature on the *siāha* of jagirs and the *daul* (estimate) of cash *tankhā*, on the settlements of accounts (*muhāsibat*), on the *parwanahs* of all

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∗ The procedure will become clear from the full description of it given in the *Ain* (i. 258-259) :—His Majesty has appointed fourteen clerks [*wāqia-navis.*] Their duty is to write down the orders and doings of His Majesty and whatever the heads of the departments report...appointments to mansabs, salaries, jagirs, grants of cash or land [in charity], the issue of orders,...battles, deaths,...the reports of events. After the diary has been corrected by one of His Majesty’s servants, it is laid before the Emperor, and approved by him. The clerk then makes a copy of each report...and hands it over to those who require it as a voucher, when it is also signed by......that person who laid it before His Majesty. The report in this state is called *yād-dāsht* or memorandum.

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Besides, there are several copyists who...receive the *yād-dāsht* when completed, keep it with themselves, and make a proper abridgment of it, called *taliqa*, which is signed and sealed by the *wāqia-navis*, the *risālahdār*, the *mir-i-arz*, and the *dārogha*. They return this *taliqa* [to the man] instead of the *yād-dāsht*. The *tāliqa* is then signed and sealed by the ministers of State.

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*Tasdiq*—verifying, attestation; a countermark attached to documents passing through the hands of Government officers or clerks, especially petitions for assignment of revenue. (Wilson, 513.)

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offices, on the attested copies of the *āima* of the Crownland office, on the letters (*arzi*) from the treasuries, on the permits (*dastaks*) for *tankhā* in cash : and also affixed his seal to the last-mentioned papers. He signed the papers of distribution of *jagīr* (*taqsīm*.)

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His seal was impressed on the rooms of the Public Treasury and the bags of money [in them], on the abstracts of the reports (*wāqia*), on the acknowledgments (*qabz*) of the monthly salary of the *ahadis barq-āndāzes* and menial servants, on the sheets of the reports from the provinces which the news-letter-reader at the imperial Court after reading them to His Majesty used to send to the imperial Record Office, on the slips (*nuskha*)* of the provinces sent by the [provincial] *diwan* or other officers.

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On *farmāns* he wrote ‘Enter in the book’ (*sibt numāid.*) (*Sibti farmāns* are described in *Ain.* i. 260.)

§ 4. Duties of the Diwan of Crownlands.

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So much for the High *Dīwān*. The duties of the Diwan of Crownlands (*khālsa*) were the following [D. 87 *b* ; Z 30*b*) :—

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The posting of the *subahdārs*, *faujdars*, *āmins*, *diwāni* officers, *kroris*,† and *dāroghas* of the provinces,—of the āmins, mushrifs and tahvildārs of mahals,—of the fotahdārs, clerks of issue (bar-āmad-navisān), dāroghas of āmins, mushrifs and khazānchis of [provincial] treasuries,—of the sazāwals of papers, the āmins and kroris of arrears,—the collectors of the mutāliba (recovery of loans or advances made by Government) and [the dues from] the zamindārs.

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∗ *Daul*—an estimate of the amount of revenue which a district or estate may be expected to yield; valuation. (Wilson, 129.) Nuskha—a copy, a specimen or draught of a writing etc. (Wilson, 381.)

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† *Krori*—the collector of a revenue area yielding one *kror* of *dām* i.e., 2½ lakhs of rupees. The office was insti-

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On parwānahs the High Diwān should write ‘correct’ (sad) and the Diwān of Khālsa should write ‘seen’ (mulāhiza shud).

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Among the duties of the Diwān of Khālsa were to answer the inquiries of the lower officials (amāl) ; to issue letters-patent (sanad) for services ; to issue orders (parwānahs) on the parganāhs assigning the cash salary (tankhā) of the Emperor’s sons and grandsons, according to the daul prepared by the cash department [of the Treasury] ;—also parwānahs for the recovery of Government advances, for the payment of the fixed salaries of the servants (āhal-i-khidmat), the customary commission of the fotahdārs,

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tuted by Akbar, but the jurisdiction of a krori soon lost all relation to the above amount of revenue.

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Mushrif—an examiner (of accounts), i.e., auditor; an officer of the treasury who authenticates accounts and documents. (Wilson, 358.)

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Fotahdar—a cash-keeper, a money changer, an officer in public establishments for weighing money and bullion, and examining and valuing coins. (Wilson, 160.)

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Sazawal—a bailiff or agent appointed to compel payment or attendance; an officer specially appointed to take charge of and collect the revenue of an estate from the management of which the owner or farmer has been removed. (Wilson, 473.)

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and the collection-fee of the kroris ;—parwānahs on complaints,—for the attachment [of property or crops] for unpaid arrears,—for calling up money from the [subordinate] treasuries,—for cash assignment in payment of things ordered to be manufactured [for the State, farmāish] and whatever is ordered on the provinces and troops,—for investigating any matter reported in the news-letters ;—to write letters by order (hasb-ul-hukm) on any subject as desired by the Emperor ;—to issue permits (dastak) addressed to the clerks (mutasaddi) of the treasuries about the fixed tankhā which might be ordered to be paid out of the Public Treasury,—permits addressed to the treasurers about the tankhā that may be ordered to be paid to the [sub] treasuries and the troops,—passports for roads, passes for workmen.

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The Diwan of Khālsa was to submit to the Emperor in writing a summary of the despatches of the lower diwani officers and clerks (amāl) that were fit to be reported, and to reply according to the regulations to those that required reply. The other prayers were to be verbally reported, or, if worthless, to be initialled by him without reporting to the Emperor.

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Then we have lists of the papers which had to be read to the Emperor by this Diwan and of those that had to be merely initialled by him without submission to his master. Even in the case of the former class, the Diwan could withhold unimportant papers if he thought fit. He had also to report to His Majesty the cash balances of the treasuries very frequently and the doings of the zamindars.

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All parwānahs for cash payment in the imperial Household department were issued by the Khan-i-saman, and the Diwan merely endorsed them.

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The Diwan of Khalsa had to endorse the security-bonds (tamassuk-i-zāmini) of the workmen and those for the repayment of State loans (mutāliba), and the indemnity-bonds (muchilka) signed by certain officers binding themselves to carry out certain specified tasks on pain of fine.

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Reports from the fotahdars and khazānchis of the parganahs and provinces stating the amounts they had recovered from the loans or advances made by Government, [had to be read by the Diwan of Khālsa.]

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The High Diwan should write ‘sanctioned’ (manzur shud) and the Diwan of Khalsa ‘seen’ on the badar-navisi* of the amāl (clerks) in the Khālsa office.

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The High Diwan should write ‘pay into such and such a fund’ (tahvil-i-falān numāid) on the audit-reports (muhasibāt) that are brought [to him] for signature by the mustaufis, viz., the mustaufis of revenue (māl), the mustaufi of rās-ul-māl (=trading stock, or the original prices of articles), the mustaufi of treasuries, the mustaufis of arrears, the mustaufis of *āmuāl* [attached property of officers who died indebted to Government], and the mustaufi of *jaziya*. He should also sign the attestation copy of the fixed salaries of workmen.

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∗ Badar-navisi—writing off items of an account which are objectionable or excessive; audit of an account. (Wilson, 43.) Mustaufi—an examiner or auditor of accounts, the principal officer of the department in which the accounts of ex-collectors or farmers of the revenue were examined. (Ibid, 358.)

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The High Diwan should sign the sheets of the abstracts (*zimn*)* of imperial farmans and the Diwan of Khālsa should sign the sheets of the abstracts of Diwani, faujdari and āmini works (*khidmat*).

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The *siāha* of *āhkām* (imperial orders in writing) should be sent directly to the offices of the High Bakhshis, the Khān-i-sāman, and others.

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The duties of the Diwan of Khālsa include—investigating into the notes (*nuskha*) of the revenue department,—correction of the *tumār-i-jama* (record of total standard assessment) of the Crownlands, estimating (*barāwardān*) the expenditure of the troops and the Emperor’s personal staff and retinue.

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The facts about dismissed officers, compiled from the office-records, should be initialled by the High Diwan. An attested copy of it should be sent to the officer concerned and the *siāha* to the offices of the High Bakhshi, etc.

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The Diwan of Khālsa drew up the statement of the income and disbursement of the imperial camp and of all the subahs, and kept the records of the *tankhā* (allowance) of the Begams and lists of the mahals (villages) of the Crownlands, workmen and annual lists (*fihrist* statistical abstracts.)

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∗ *Zimn*—the endorsement of a grant giving an abstract of its contents. Formerly the words *zimn navisand*, ‘let them write the abstract’ were inscribed on a sanad granting an assignment of revenue, which served as authority for the subordinate officers to make out the particulars of the grant. [Wilson, 567.]

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The High Diwan’s office kept copies of all sheets signed by the Emperor.

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Then we have a long list of the papers which the Diwan of Khalsa had to secure from different classes of officials, such as revenue officers, amins, kroris, collectors of *sair* mahals, clerks of the treasuries, etc.

§ 5. Duties of the Diwan of Tankha.

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The *Diwan-i-tan* dealt with the following matters [Z. 34*b*—36*a* ; D. 89*b*—90*b*] :

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(A) Requiring submission to the Emperor : Whatever appertained to the subjects of jagirs and cash *tankhā*. Facts relating to zamindars. *Daul* of the jagirs of subahdārs. Records of arrears. *Awārija* of the parganahs. *Taujih* of the jagirdars. Ranks of the mansabdārs.

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(B) Orders (*parwānahs*) relating to the granting (*tankhā*) of jagir, cash salary, fixed salaries of workmen and the people of the *tahvils*,—on complaints and for investigation of the matters reported in the news-letters,—orders for the attachment of jāgirs [in the case of officers who] have been transferred from a parganah,—orders for the recovery of advances made to mansabdars.

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(C) Sheets to be signed—the *siāha* of jāgirs, the grant of aid (*musā‘idat*), sheets of the demand for the restitution of advances, requests.

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(D) Permits (*dastaks*) for grant (*tankhā*) of cash and grant of aid.

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(E) After the Emperor had signed the rolls (*tumārs*) of arrears and of officers whose pay was due (*talbdār*), the High Diwan should attest with his signature the copy of the Emperor's writing on these papers. Imperial orders (*āhkām*) should be communicated immediately to the offices of the Bakhshi and others. The audit-reports [or settlements of accounts] should be brought by the mustaufis of jagirdars, *iyuz-i-jāgir*, and advance-treasury, [to the Diwan] for signature.

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The *daul* of cash payment should be signed by the Diwan-i-tan. On the sheets of branding and verification of cavalry he should write ‘approved’.

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On the abstract-memos of the salaries of workmen he should write ‘From such a date in such a year pay cash tankha.’

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The memos of the mansabdars and others should be reported to the Emperor a second time, for confirmation ; on them the diwan should write ‘Truly compare [with the original.]’

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(F) *Aima* and other things—farmāns, memos, parwanahs for grant of subsistence allowance (*madad-i-māsh*). Keep them in the office of the news-letters of the provinces etc.

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(G) The writing office—farmāns in terms of the Emperor’s dictation,—parwānahs ‘by order’ (*hasb-ul-hukm*).

§ 6. Duties of the High Steward.

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The *Khān-i-sāmān* or High Steward, as I have already pointed out, was the second highest officer in the realm and stood immediately below the Diwan. He has been well described as “really the *diwān* of *expenditure*”. [Manual, 17.]

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He is thus instructed about his work, (Manual, 17-21) :—

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“Take over the cash balance and collected articles in the Household Department, which are kept under the seals of the late *Khān-i-sāmān* at the time of his vacating his office and the seals of the mushrif and tahvildar ; satisfy yourself that the stock agrees with the records, or else call upon them to make the deficit good.

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“Keep with yourself one set of the records of expenditure per annum arranged under the heads of the different *kārkhānahs* (i.e., stores and State factories). Find out how many *khilats* (robes) are there in the *khilat-khānah* and so on in every *kārkhānah*. If the requisite stores are wanting, write out a statement of the expenditure (*sarānjām*) necessary for supplying the want, apply to the proper

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authority, take from him a payment order on the diwan for the *sarānjām* and make the things.

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"In order that the Khan-i-saman may be in a position to supply all articles that may be required, it is his business to buy them with Government money or on credit from traders, and keep them ready, and deliver them to Government at need at the market price. If he is a rich man himself, he ought to buy and stock the things, so that he may not have to beg of others at the time of need, but issue them after valuation at the market rate. Thus his master will have no occasion to be displeased at delay in supplying. If the Khan-i-sāmān supplies his own things at the market rate, most probably Government will make a saving by the transaction ; but the clerks of the Government will allege that he is selling things to the State at a profit ; therefore, he ought to ask the Emperor beforehand to advance him money to buy everything and stock it for supply when needed.

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"Old and secondhand stores should be sold to the army, after taking permission [of the Emperor] and learning their current prices from a *muqim* [broker or appraiser.] Keep the price-list, signed by the *muqim*, with yourself [for your defence.]

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"Buy beautiful things which are likely to prove agreeable [to the Emperor] and keep them [for presentation on suitable occasions.] On the two *Ids* and other festive occasions, keep the robes [of honour] and other customary official gifts ready [for issue] a month or two before the dates, so that you may not have to plead inability to supply when they are needed.

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"Treat well and attach to yourself by the ties of gratitude artisans like goldsmiths, enamellers, die-carvers [for coins], net-weavers, plain-workers in metal [sādah kār, a class of goldsmiths], etc., etc."

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The duties of a Khan-i-saman are thus enumerated in the Dastur:—

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(1) Attestation [of the salary-bills] of the workmen and menials from the monthly, yearly and daily rolls [of attendance] of those newly appointed as well as increment [in the salary] of the old ones.

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(2) First appointment, dismissal and posting of dāroghas, āmins, mushrifs, and tahvildārs [of the various kārkhānahs.]

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(3) Laying down rules for the work of the kārkhānahs and treasuries [of the Household department.]

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(4) [Writing] slips for hire and wages of labour.

c7.s6.15

(5) Replying to the prayers of the managers of the kārkhānahs.

c7.s6.16

(6) Issuing permits for the granting [of State houses] as reward and for allowing [nobles to lodge temporarily in] them.

c7.s6.17

(7) Inspection of nim-gosht and pao-gosht.

c7.s6.18

(8) Taking bonds for money security from the menials and managers [of kārkhānahs.]

c7.s6.19

(9) Considering applications from the workshops and stores.

c7.s6.20

(10) Taking care of the *nazar*, charity-fund, and presents.

c7.s6.21

(11) Fixing the daily rations of cattle.

c7.s6.22

(12) Permits for the loan of articles from the *kārkhānahs*.

c7.s6.23

(13) Permits for the distribution of food [from the royal kitchen], its increase or decrease, and the letters of order (*āhkām*),—except the letters of the female apartments. These were to be signed first by the Khan-i-sāmān and then by the *Buyutāt*.

c7.s6.24

(14) Reply to the final presentation of accounts (*muhāsibāt*) concerning the recovery of State advances (*mutālibāt*.)

c7.s6.25

(15) Escheat of property. If the order is to restore [to the officer under audit], then send a copy of the order to the office [of the Diwan ], so that his *tankhā* may be paid according to it.

c7.s6.26

(16) Things made to order (*farmāish*) of the Emperor in the provinces.

c7.s6.27

(17) Taking the income from the gardens and the rent from the shops and residential houses [belonging to the State.]

c7.s6.28

(18) Long sheets of letters from the *kārkhānahs*.

c7.s6.29

(19) The diaries and *āwārija* of the *subahs* as well as the *āwārija* of the imperial camp are to be sealed without change.

c7.s6.30

(20) Initial the petitions from the officers asking for advances and the granting of residences for alighting in, etc.

c7.s6.31

(21) Attestation of the attendance of the daroghas, amins, mushrifs and tahvildars of kārkhānahs . . . . .

c7.s6.32

(22) Appraising the different articles of peshkash (tribute and present) and amuāl (escheated personal property of dead mansabdars).

c7.s6.33

(23) Attestation of the cash reward which appertains to the commanders of squadrons (sāhib-i-risālah)?

c7.s6.34

(24) Distribution of porters among the different kārkhānahs.

c7.s6.35

(25) Arrangements for the marriages of the princes.

c7.s6.36

(26) The tumārs (registers) of the cash realization of the amounts due on audit [muhāsibāt], should be sent by the auditors to the office of the Khan-i-sāmān, and copies of them should be given to the office of the Buyutāt.

c7.s6.37

(27) Plans* of lodgings and buildings [belonging to the State.]

c7.s6.38

[Z. 20a—21b ; D. 83a—84a.]

§ 7. Duties of the Buyutat.

c7.s7.1

Buyutāt is the double plural of the Arabic word bait, meaning ‘house’. In Mughal India Diwān-i-buyutāt, popularly always shortened into Buyutāt, was the title of an officer who registered the property of deceased persons, in order to secure the payment of the dues of the State as well as to safeguard the property for the heirs of the deceased. In addition, he was in some respects an understudy of the Khan-i-sāmān, as the following list of his duties [Z. 21b; D. 84a] will show:—