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In history and tradition, Hindustan has been famous for her wealth. Many attempts at invasion show the interest of various nations in it treasures. The Mughal Empire was considered the second wealthiest empire after China in the eighteenth century. Mughal emperors utilized to the maximum the resources of the empire for their personal interests. The Imperial Household was an important department of the central administration of the Mughals which served them in all kinds of economic matters. This paper is an effort to explore the expenditure of the Imperial Household. The sources of medieval Indian history give an insight of various categories of such expenditure.
During Muslim rule in India (1206-1857 A.D.), the imperial household was one of the important departments of the central administration of the country. In the Sultanate period (1206-1526 A.D.), Wakil-i-Dar was incharge of the imperial of household. After the establishments of Mughal rule (1526) Khan-i-Saman also known as Mir Saman became the central minister for the department. Khan-i-Saman was assisted by a number of office bearers like: Wakil (The Emperor's lieutenant in economic matters), Khan-i-Saman (incharge of government properties), Mir Manzil (finder of suitable places for royal camps), Mir Mal (royal title bearer), Muhrdar (keeper of the royal seal), Barbegi (facilitator of various audiences with the emperor), Qurbegi (keeper of the royal arms and insignia), Mir Tuzuk (master of ceremonies at the court), Khwansalar (incharge of the royal kitchen), Qushbegi (incharge of the aviaries), Akhtabegi (incharge of the royal stables).1 The imperial household was a complete and independent unit having different offices, factories and departments like, Farashkhana, (tents carpets etc.) Abdarkhana, (provided water to the royal palace) Matbakh, (royal kitchen) Maywa Khana, (fruitery) Khushbu Khana, (perfumery) Tushak Khana, (dresses) etc., where the economic processes of production, consumption and exchange were all to serve only one person, the Emperor.2 The imperial household encompassed in Abul-Fazal's Ain "Manzilabadi" consisted mainly of the harem, the kitchen and various other departments including royal buildings, gardens, roads, the store house of precious stones, gold and ornaments the royal wardrobe, the perfumery, carpets and the royal stable etc.3 The imperial household had a staff of several thousands. All the offices, departments and factories were organized as the other departments of the Mughal state. Khan-i-Saman or the...