The administrative system that was introduced by Qutb Shah Sultans is unique in its nature and structure. They provided sound and popular administration in the Deccan.
Central Government
A) Sultan
The Sultan was the head of State in the Qutb Shahi administration. He enjoyed extensive powers and claimed divine right, calling himself ‘Zillullah’ (the image of God). As the Head of the State, he was the Chief of all organs of power—legislature, judiciary, and executive. He was the only law-giver and the Supreme Commander of the armed forces. He lived in a grand style and very rarely came out of his palace to receive very important guests.
According to an envoy of Shah Abbas of Persia, who visited the court of Abdullah Qutb Shah in the year 1636-37 C.E., he was very surprised to see the Sultan’s Palace, his dress, and headwear studded with costly diamonds and gems. Even the ministers and high officials of the Sultan also lived in grand buildings. Events like birthdays, marriages, or victory celebrations were held grandly in the court. The Qutb Shahi Sultans received costly presents from foreign rulers on such occasions.
B) Council of Ministers (Majlis-i-Diwandari)
In the Qutb Shahi Kingdom, after the Sultan, the Council and its members played a key role in the administration. It consisted of powerful and high officials and ministers. All its members respected the Council and its laws. During Ibrahim-Quli-Qutb Shah’s reign, the Council became popularly known as ‘Majlis-i-Kingash’. It used to meet only on emergency issues. During the period of Abdullah-Qutb Shah, Majlis-i-Diwandari attained complete perfection and met every day. The Sultan promoted some members of the Majlis to positions of ambassadors. Abdullah Qutb Shah promoted his minister (Ain-ul-mulk) ‘Yusuf Shah’ as the Qutb Shahi ambassador at the Court of Jahangir in 1630 C.E.
Peshwa or Vakil or Prime Minister
The head of the administration was the Peshwa, and perhaps the most renowned of all the Peshwas was Shaikh Muhammad Surnamed Ibn-i-Khatun. The Peshwa was paid an amount of twelve thousand Hons as salary. By the period of Abul Hassan-Tanashah, the Peshwa’s post was converted into Diwan. Madanna was the last Diwan of the Golconda Kingdom. The Peshwa was assisted by many high officials and employees and lived in a grand building with many workers.
Meer-Jumla (Finance Minister)
Next to the Peshwa came Jumlat-ul-Mulk, popularly called Mir Jumla. He was the head of the Finance Department in Qutb Shahi administration. His main duty was to collect various types of taxes and customs. He enjoyed the power to allocate the required amount to each department and supervised the accounts of all departments. Notable figures like Mir Momin, Mansur Khan Habashi (during Abdullah’s reign), and Muhammad Said Ardistani held the post of Mir-Jumla under different Qutb Shahi Sultans.
Ain-ul-Mulk
He was the Minister in charge of Military Affairs. His main duties included the appointment of various army officials, soldiers, training, etc. He also prepared war strategies. Taraf level military officers were appointed by him. The Sultan’s position and the safety of the kingdom depended on the efficiency of this department. Trusted and experienced individuals like Saif-Khan and Mansoor-Khan held this office.
Nazir
The main duty of the Nazir was to inculcate respect towards ethics, laws, the Sultan, and his policies. Sometimes he also maintained law and order. During Muhammad-Quli’s period, Abu-Talib held the post of Nazir, while Meer-Qasim served under Abdullah-Qutb Shah.
Majumdar
He was the Account-General of the entire kingdom. His staff checked the accounts of all departments. The Qutb Shahi Sultans preferred Hindus for this post. Narayan Rao was Abdullah-Qutb Shah’s Majumdar.
Dabir
The office of Dabir is known as Diwan-e-Insha. His main job was the translation of the farmans issued by the Sultan and sending them to Tarafdars and other heads of departments. Stamping the farmans approved by the Sultan and Council was also his duty. Qazi-Muzaffar Ali and Moulana-Owaisi held this position and did good work.
Kotwal
One of the most important central officers was the Kotwal or Commissioner of Police. Accounts from Tavernier, Thevenot, and Berniar appreciated the systematic functioning of the police department and its staff. The internal and external traders were provided full security by the police, who checked each person entering the capital city. Along with maintaining law and order, he was also the supreme judge of the city.
Sarkhel
Sarkhel was the Chief Revenue Officer at the capital and had a large jurisdiction over districts and provinces. He exercised extensive powers over provincial officers and supervised the work and activities of foreign traders on the East Coast, providing security to them.
Hawaldar
He was in charge of government godowns, stables of horses, and elephants. The Golconda Sultans appointed trusted men as Hawaldars.