List of Administrative Departments under the Mughal Empire

The administrative structure of the Mughal Empire was centralised based on military power. The Mughal emperors accepted two primary duties for themselves, Jahanbani (protection of the state) and Jahangiri (extension of the empire).Hence, they were responsible for appointment, promotion, and removal; they had no institutional pressure and it was for the sake of smooth functioning of the empire that a few departments were created. Here, we are giving the list of Administrative Departments under the Mughal Empire for general awareness.

List of Administrative Departments under the Mughal Empire

Elements and Structure of the Mughal Administration

1. Emperor as the representative of God

2. Centralized power

3. Benevolent despot

4. Rule of Aristocracy

5. Foreign-cum Indian system of administration

List of Officers in Mughal Administration

6. Secular versus theocratic state

7. Administration-military in origin

8. Revenue administration

9. The administration as manufacturer

10. Council of Ministers

The characteristics of the Mughal Administrative structure were influenced of the administrative system of the Sultanate and Sher Shah. The Mughal administration presented a combination of Indian and extra-Indian elements, or more correctly, it was the “Perso-Arabic system in Indian setting”.  The Emperor was supreme authority who made the laws and issued administrative ordinances which had the force of laws in the light of the shariat (Islamic law).

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