Pre-colonial Makhzen

[1] The Makhzen operated on a system of Sharifism, in which the shurafā, descendants of Muhammad through his grandson Hasan ibn Ali, held a privileged political and religious position in society.

Their duty was to levy taxes for the imperial treasury and to maintain order, and could punish by fine, imprisonment or foot whipping.

It was only until the recommendations and advice of Sir John Drummond Hay during the reign of Sultan Muhammad IV bin Abd al-Rahman (1859-1873) that the plan of paying administrators was introduced, following the Anglo-Moroccan Treaty of 1856, to the great advantage of the treasury.

They were known as the Guich, Arab tribes[6] that served as troops and military garrisons, as well as to protect the outskirts of the capital and to suppress rebellions.

[7] The Saadi dynasty revived Sharifism in the 16th century to assert Arab supremacy in Berber regions.