Mughal Administration c8.s3: § 3. Duties of the provincial diwan.

Mughal Administration c8.s3

Language: English

§ 3. Duties of the provincial diwan.

c8.s3.1

The provincial DIWAN* was the second officer in the locality and, as I have pointed out in the first chapter, he was the rival of the subahdar. The two had to keep a strict and jealous watch on each other, thus continuing the earliest administrative policy and traditions of the Arabs when they went forth after the Prophet’s death, conquering the world and establishing their new government in the annexed lands.

c8.s3.2

The provincial diwan was selected by the imperial Diwan and acted directly under his orders and in constant correspondence with him. At the time of giving leave to a new diwan, the High Diwan was to urge him to increase the cultivation and to select honest men only for the post of āmin. He was to report to the High Diwan twice every month the occurrences of the subah with a statement of the cash balance with him. The diwan was specially urged to appoint as collectors (kroris and tahsildārs) practical men who were likely to induce the ryots to pay the Government dues of their own accord, without the necessity of resorting to harshness or chastisement. [Manual, 13-14.]

c8.s3.3

The sanad or letter of appointment of a provincial diwan charges him with his duties in the following words:—

c8.s3.4

“Cause the extension of cultivation and habitation in the villages. Watch over the imperial

c8.s3.5

∗ The provincial diwan was appointed under a hasb-ul-hukm of the Emperor (written by the wazir) and a sanad bearing the seal of the wazir. [Mirat, Sup. 173.]

c8.s3.6

treasury, that nobody may draw any money without due warrant. When due money is paid into the treasury from the chests of the fotahdars and other sources, give receipts (*qabz-ul-wasul*) to their agents. See that no official (*āmil*) exacts any forbidden cess (*ābwāb*.)

c8.s3.7

"At the end of every agricultural season ascertain from the original rough papers [*i.e.*, first notes] the extortions and peculations of the *āmils*, and recover for the imperial treasury whatever may be due from them on this account. Report bad or dishonest *āmils* to Government [*i.e.*, to the High Diwan] so that better men may be appointed to replace them.