📚 Part of: Ancient Indian History & Geography Mcqs: Indus Valley To Colonial Administration

Who was the officer in charge of controlling the market affairs?

Category: Miscellaneous Indian Gk

Correct Answer: C) Shahna-i-Mandi.

Exam Relevance: UPSC Civil Services, State PSC Exams, History Exams, Indian Polity Exams

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes:

In the Mughal administrative system, the Shahna-i-Mandi was the officer responsible for overseeing market affairs. This role was crucial for maintaining economic stability and ensuring fair trade practices. The Shahna-i-Mandi was tasked with regulating prices, weights, and measures, and ensuring that the market functioned efficiently and fairly.

Common Mistakes:
  • Confusing the roles of different Mughal officials.
  • Not understanding the specific duties of the Shahna-i-Mandi.
  • Misremembering the title of the officer in charge of market affairs.
Explanation:

In the Mughal administrative system, the Shahna-i-Mandi was a key official responsible for overseeing market affairs. The Mughal Empire, which ruled much of the Indian subcontinent from the 16th to the 19th century, had a highly structured administrative system that included various officials with specific roles and responsibilities.

The Shahna-i-Mandi was specifically tasked with the regulation of markets. This role was crucial for maintaining economic stability and ensuring fair trade practices. The Shahna-i-Mandi was responsible for regulating prices, weights, and measures, and ensuring that the market functioned efficiently and fairly. This included monitoring the quality of goods, preventing price gouging, and ensuring that traders adhered to the established rules and regulations.

The Mughal administrative system was divided into several departments, each with its own set of officials. The Shahna-i-Mandi was part of the civil administration, which was distinct from the military and judicial departments. Other important officials in the Mughal administration included the Mir Bakshi, who was responsible for the military department, and the Diwan, who managed the revenue and finance department.

It is important to understand the specific roles of these officials to avoid confusion. For example, the Chief Quazi was the highest judicial officer in the Mughal administration, responsible for overseeing the administration of justice according to Islamic law. The Mir Bhakshi, on the other hand, was the head of the military department, managing the salaries and promotions of military personnel. Mir Qasim was a regional governor and not an official in the central Mughal administration.

In summary, the Shahna-i-Mandi was the officer in charge of controlling market affairs in the Mughal administrative system. This role was crucial for maintaining economic stability and ensuring fair trade practices, making it an important position within the Mughal bureaucracy.

Option Analysis:
  • Option A: The Chief Quazi was not responsible for market affairs. The Chief Quazi was the highest judicial officer in the Mughal administration, responsible for overseeing the administration of justice according to Islamic law. This role is unrelated to market control and regulation.
  • Option B: The Mir Bhakshi was the head of the military department in the Mughal administration. This role involved managing the salaries and promotions of military personnel, which is distinct from the responsibilities of overseeing market affairs.
  • Option C: The Shahna-i-Mandi was indeed the officer in charge of controlling market affairs. This role involved regulating prices, weights, and measures, and ensuring fair trade practices. The Shahna-i-Mandi was crucial for maintaining economic stability and ensuring that the market functioned efficiently and fairly.
  • Option D: Mir Qasim was a Nawab of Bengal, Bihar, and Orissa, and not an officer in charge of market affairs in the Mughal administration. His role was as a regional governor, and he was not responsible for market regulation.

Mnemonic: S-M: Shahna-i-Mandi for Market

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