Q. Consider the following statements with respect to the position of Wazir in the Mughal administration under Akbar:

1. Wazir was the head of revenue department.
2. Wazir held the highest ranks in the Mughal administration.
3. Expertise on the subject matter was more important than lineage/social status in order to get appointed to the office of Wazir.

Which of the above is / are correct?
Answer: Only 1 and 3
Notes: The Timurid and Central Asian tradition of administration had an all-powerful position of Wazir. He was the principal link between the ruler and the administration. After learning from the example of a recalcitrant Wazir, Bairam Khan, Akbar reorganized the central administration and divided the power between different departments. He provided for checks & balances between those departments. E.g. Wazir continued to be the head of revenue department but he was divested of the control over military. Also, Wazir generally did not hold a high mansab. Many nobles held mansabs which were higher than this. Thus, he was no longer the principal advisor to the ruler, but one who was an expert in revenue affairs. A person of humble origin was preferred for this position rather than a nobleman with considerable connections. To emphasis this point, Akbar generally used the title of diwan or diwan-i-ala in preference to the term Wazir. Sometimes, several persons were asked to discharge the duties of diwan jointly.