Bakhshi (Mughal Empire)

'Giver') in the Mughal Empire denoted a number of hierarchical government officials, typically involved with military administration and intelligence.

[2][3][4] The position has its roots at latest in the Delhi Sultanate, during the 13th-century reign of Balban, who created the office of diwan-i-arz in order to have a separated military administration; this was to act as a check against the vizier.

[5][3][4] Unlike the Sultanate-era office, the mir bakhshi's influence extended beyond the military, since every noble of the Mughal empire was a mansabdar.

[6] The Ain-i-Akbari contains references to an office termed mir-arz, which William Irvine considered to be the immediate prototype for the position of mir bakhshi.

[7][5] The chief responsibilities of the mir bakhshi were in the management of mansabdars; to recruit them, recommend a suitable rank to assign them, regularly inspect their military units, and determine their payment (either in the form of cash or jagirs).

Another important function of the mir bakhshi was the centralisation of intelligence - they collated information reported by the waqia-navis (news writers, posted in every province) and presented it to the emperor.

These officials performed similar tasks to the mir bakhshi, but dealt with lesser mansabdars and troops of the royal household.