In the administrative structure established by Sher Shah, the 'Fotdar' was the Treasurer for the smallest major revenue division, the Pargana. His function was purely financial: to securely hold all the cash, coins and revenue collected from the area. The Fotdar worked alongside the Shiqdar (executiRead more
In the administrative structure established by Sher Shah, the ‘Fotdar’ was the Treasurer for the smallest major revenue division, the Pargana. His function was purely financial: to securely hold all the cash, coins and revenue collected from the area. The Fotdar worked alongside the Shiqdar (executive officer) and the Amin (revenue assessor). This clear separation of financial control (Fotdar) from executive control (Shiqdar) was a hallmark of Sher Shah’s efforts to prevent corruption and ensure administrative probity.
The difficult Rajput state to conquer was Marwar, under the control of Maldeo Rathore. Sher Shah faced the Rathores at the Battle of Sumel (Giri-Sumel) in 1544. To win, Sher Shah resorted to treachery, scattering false letters to sow dissension among Maldeo's commanders. After narrowly securing a viRead more
The difficult Rajput state to conquer was Marwar, under the control of Maldeo Rathore. Sher Shah faced the Rathores at the Battle of Sumel (Giri-Sumel) in 1544. To win, Sher Shah resorted to treachery, scattering false letters to sow dissension among Maldeo’s commanders. After narrowly securing a victory against the fierce resistance, Sher Shah made the famous statement, “Alas, I almost lost the kingdom of Hindustan for a handful of millet!” This reflects the high cost and near-fatal difficulty of conquering the determined Rajput forces.
The head of the military department under Akbar's reorganized administration was the Mir Bakhshi. His authority was extensive; he was responsible for military recruitment, maintaining the imperial cavalry and infantry, paying the troops and ensuring the smooth functioning of the Mansabdari system. TRead more
The head of the military department under Akbar’s reorganized administration was the Mir Bakhshi. His authority was extensive; he was responsible for military recruitment, maintaining the imperial cavalry and infantry, paying the troops and ensuring the smooth functioning of the Mansabdari system. The Mir Bakhshi was not the commander-in-chief, but rather the Chief Paymaster and the head of military administration, whose department maintained all records of the Mansabdars and their associated troops.
Sher Shah Suri died due to a catastrophic explosion of gunpowder during the siege of the Kalinjar Fort in 1545. He was personally directing the assault on the fort walls when a rocket or ulla rebounded and detonated the nearby magazine of gunpowder. Sher Shah sustained fatal burns but, with his lastRead more
Sher Shah Suri died due to a catastrophic explosion of gunpowder during the siege of the Kalinjar Fort in 1545. He was personally directing the assault on the fort walls when a rocket or ulla rebounded and detonated the nearby magazine of gunpowder. Sher Shah sustained fatal burns but, with his last breaths, was informed that the fort had been successfully captured. His death marked the unfortunate end of his brief but highly reformative rule and triggered a succession crisis in the Sur Empire.
The loss of Kandahar to the Persians in 1649 was a severe blow to the Mughal Empire, fundamentally weakening it from the perspective of a strategically important center. Kandahar was militarily crucial because it provided a strong defensive outpost and secured the main mountain passes into India. EcRead more
The loss of Kandahar to the Persians in 1649 was a severe blow to the Mughal Empire, fundamentally weakening it from the perspective of a strategically important center. Kandahar was militarily crucial because it provided a strong defensive outpost and secured the main mountain passes into India. Economically, it controlled the lucrative trade routes connecting India with Central and West Asia. Its permanent loss marked a decline in Mughal prestige and strained the imperial treasury through costly, failed attempts to recapture it.
Who was the ‘Fotdar’ in Sher Shah’s administration?
In the administrative structure established by Sher Shah, the 'Fotdar' was the Treasurer for the smallest major revenue division, the Pargana. His function was purely financial: to securely hold all the cash, coins and revenue collected from the area. The Fotdar worked alongside the Shiqdar (executiRead more
In the administrative structure established by Sher Shah, the ‘Fotdar’ was the Treasurer for the smallest major revenue division, the Pargana. His function was purely financial: to securely hold all the cash, coins and revenue collected from the area. The Fotdar worked alongside the Shiqdar (executive officer) and the Amin (revenue assessor). This clear separation of financial control (Fotdar) from executive control (Shiqdar) was a hallmark of Sher Shah’s efforts to prevent corruption and ensure administrative probity.
See lessWhich state in the Rajputana region was difficult to conquer and when it was finally conquered, Sher Shah inadvertently exclaimed, “Alas, I almost lost the kingdom of Hindustan for a handful of millet!”?
The difficult Rajput state to conquer was Marwar, under the control of Maldeo Rathore. Sher Shah faced the Rathores at the Battle of Sumel (Giri-Sumel) in 1544. To win, Sher Shah resorted to treachery, scattering false letters to sow dissension among Maldeo's commanders. After narrowly securing a viRead more
The difficult Rajput state to conquer was Marwar, under the control of Maldeo Rathore. Sher Shah faced the Rathores at the Battle of Sumel (Giri-Sumel) in 1544. To win, Sher Shah resorted to treachery, scattering false letters to sow dissension among Maldeo’s commanders. After narrowly securing a victory against the fierce resistance, Sher Shah made the famous statement, “Alas, I almost lost the kingdom of Hindustan for a handful of millet!” This reflects the high cost and near-fatal difficulty of conquering the determined Rajput forces.
See lessUnder the reorganized centralized administrative system during Akbar’s reign, who was the head of the military department?
The head of the military department under Akbar's reorganized administration was the Mir Bakhshi. His authority was extensive; he was responsible for military recruitment, maintaining the imperial cavalry and infantry, paying the troops and ensuring the smooth functioning of the Mansabdari system. TRead more
The head of the military department under Akbar’s reorganized administration was the Mir Bakhshi. His authority was extensive; he was responsible for military recruitment, maintaining the imperial cavalry and infantry, paying the troops and ensuring the smooth functioning of the Mansabdari system. The Mir Bakhshi was not the commander-in-chief, but rather the Chief Paymaster and the head of military administration, whose department maintained all records of the Mansabdars and their associated troops.
See lessDuring which campaign did Sher Shah die due to a sudden explosion of gunpowder?
Sher Shah Suri died due to a catastrophic explosion of gunpowder during the siege of the Kalinjar Fort in 1545. He was personally directing the assault on the fort walls when a rocket or ulla rebounded and detonated the nearby magazine of gunpowder. Sher Shah sustained fatal burns but, with his lastRead more
Sher Shah Suri died due to a catastrophic explosion of gunpowder during the siege of the Kalinjar Fort in 1545. He was personally directing the assault on the fort walls when a rocket or ulla rebounded and detonated the nearby magazine of gunpowder. Sher Shah sustained fatal burns but, with his last breaths, was informed that the fort had been successfully captured. His death marked the unfortunate end of his brief but highly reformative rule and triggered a succession crisis in the Sur Empire.
See lessFrom which perspective did the loss of Kandahar deal a major blow to the Mughal Empire?
The loss of Kandahar to the Persians in 1649 was a severe blow to the Mughal Empire, fundamentally weakening it from the perspective of a strategically important center. Kandahar was militarily crucial because it provided a strong defensive outpost and secured the main mountain passes into India. EcRead more
The loss of Kandahar to the Persians in 1649 was a severe blow to the Mughal Empire, fundamentally weakening it from the perspective of a strategically important center. Kandahar was militarily crucial because it provided a strong defensive outpost and secured the main mountain passes into India. Economically, it controlled the lucrative trade routes connecting India with Central and West Asia. Its permanent loss marked a decline in Mughal prestige and strained the imperial treasury through costly, failed attempts to recapture it.
See less