Iqta system

Background and evolution

The iqta was a long-established institution of the Islamic world, used by the Abbasid caliphate, the Buyids and the Seljuqs to pay soldiers and officials with the revenue of land rather than cash. When the Ghurids conquered north India at the end of the twelfth century, their commanders took control of large areas, and the early Delhi Sultans needed a way to govern and defend newly won territory with limited cash resources.

Iltutmish, who consolidated the Sultanate, distributed iqtas to his Turkish slave officers, known as the Chahalgani or "the Forty", and to soldiers. This gave the Sultan a way to station loyal troops across the realm, collect revenue and integrate conquered regions without building a large central bureaucracy. Over the next two centuries, the system was adapted by successive rulers depending on how strong they were.

Key features and provisions

• Revenue for service: the iqtadar collected revenue from the iqta, kept the share needed for his troops and expenses, and sent any surplus (fawazil) to the central treasury.
• Administrative duties: muqtis maintained law and order and supplied troops when the Sultan called.
• Transfers: iqtas were regularly transferred to prevent holders from building local power bases.
• Audit: under Balban and especially Alauddin Khalji, revenue officials assessed iqta income and audited accounts; Alauddin brought much land under direct state control (khalisa).
• Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq: tried to limit the share officials could take and protect peasants from excessive demands.
• Firoz Shah Tughlaq: allowed iqtas to become hereditary and increased the salaries of officials, which weakened central control.