Cabinet Structure in Pal-Shah Dynasty Garhwal Kingdom

Administration, Social and Cultural Characteristics History of Garhwal in Shah Dynasty -3

History of Garhwal including Haridwar (1223- 1804 AD) –part -192      

   History of Uttarakhand (Garhwal, Kumaon and Haridwar) -440 

                       By: Bhishma Kukreti (A History Research Student)

                    Shah or Pal Kings of Garhwal were not authoritarian dictators. They used to take advices from their cabinet colleagues. The cabinet was having Diwan, Daftari, Faujdar and Negi but it was not sure that cabinet minister would get the post due to dynasty. Though most of the time the children of ministers would get opportunity for becoming court members.   

   Bahguna’s hand written note of Kothar , Dharmadhikari was important post and as per Maularam mentioned   Ojhaguru name for Dhamadhikari post.

Mukhtyar or Mukhtar- Mukhtar or Mukhtyar was equal or synonym of Prime minister, chaif minister. Mukhtar was chief of cabinet and many times, Mukhtyar took over whole administration from the King. In Jaikrit period, many ministers declared them as Mukhtar.

Daftari- Daftari means General Director or chief director of the Kingdom. The office of Daftari was in the capital. His assistants used have offices in Parganas. The assisting Daftari in Pargana used to collect taxes and used to have tax records in regional office. With the advice or order of the King or sometime Mukhtar, Daftari used to communicate Farman/Adesh/ Parwana such as appointments, promotions, punishments, awards, rewards, retirement orders to the government servants, central agencies, landlords and regional agencies. Daftari was very strong position and most of the officers used to make Daftary happy.

Faujdar-  Faujdar means the Head of Pargana. The Faujdar was the real ruler of Pargana. Faujdar used to keep army, was responsible for administration and had to collect taxes. When needed Faujdar had to go with his army in battle for the King. There are proofs of  Faujdar in salan, Dehradun (Doon valley) and Ravai. That shows there would be Faujdar in other territories.

 The salary of Dooon and Salan Faujdar was around one lakh twenty five thousand annually. Faujdar used to pay salary to his soldiers from his earning. This system made Faujdar more powerful than the King.  Many times, strong, powerful and ambitious Faujdar used to take over the administration of Shringar in his hands and the King had to live on his mercy. Fajdar of Doon valley as Govind Singh and Ummed Singh were virtual kings of Doon valley. The king had to marry his daughter with Ummed Singh to have cordial relation with him.

Goldar and Jamadar – Goldars were guards for palace and the king. They used to appoint their subordinate freely. Goldars used to guard palace, treasury, court, and other offices and officers. Soldiers of Goldars used to watch palace and important places in night too. Goldar and his soldiers used to accompany the King when he was on tour. As good as body guards of the King, the Kingdom used to pay salaries and land (Jagir) to Goldar for their livelihood.

  Goldar had his own Diwan (assistant) and Lekhwa r (accountant). Jamdar was a position for low cadre soldiers and Fuajdar and Goldar had sufficient number of Jamadar.

Negi- Negi had two meanings. One meaning is assistant officers in the court and in other works of Palace. Negi also means servant (Sevak) especially from Khas clans. The Negi is position and King would declare or appoint any Rajput as Negi for his specific services for the court. Kingdom offered Negis daily allowances, salary and portion of tax collected from specific region for their livelihood of Negi. Ussualy, Negi position was of dynasty based job.

**Cabinet Structure in Pal-Shah Dynasty Garhwal Kingdom to be continued in part -441

Copyright@ Bhishma Kukreti Mumbai, India, bckukreti@gmail.com25/9/2014

History of Garhwal – Kumaon-Haridwar (Uttarakhand, India) to be continued… Part -441

(The History of Garhwal, Kumaon, Haridwar write up is aimed for general readers)

History of Garhwal from 1223-1804 to be continued in next chapter ….

XX                     

Notes on South Asian Modern Period  History of Garhwal;  South Asian Modern Period   History of Pauri Garhwal; South Asian  Modern Period  History of Chamoli Garhwal;  South Asian Modern Period   History of Rudraprayag Garhwal;  South Asian Modern  History of Tehri Garhwal; Modern  History of Uttarkashi Garhwal;  South Asian Modern Period  History of Dehradun, Garhwal;  Modern  History of Haridwar ;  South Asian Modern Period   History of Manglaur, Haridwar;  South Asian Modern Period   History of Rurkee Haridwar ;  South Asian Modern Period   History of Bahadarpur Haridwar ; South Asian Modern Period  History of Haridwar district, History of Characteristics of Garhwal Kings Shah dynasty ,  to be continued