Nature of Medieval State
(i) Mahmud of Ghazni was the first man to the styled 'Sultan' by contemporaries. The title of Sultan was popular first among Turks.
(ii) Seljuk dynasties in Western and Central Asia used this title of Sultan routinely, and later, Ottoman Turks made it famous in Europe.
(iii) The Sultans of Delhi acknowledged the sovereignty of Caliph of Baghdad and considered their kingdom as a part of Dar-ul-Islam of which the Caliph was the juridical head.
(iv) India under the Mughal emperors was governed under the Muslim law Sharia. Even so neither under the Sultans of Delhi nor under the Mughal emperors did the state conform absolutely to Islamic ordinances since it had to adapt itself to the realities and often may not be the correct one.
(v) The Turkish and Afghan rulers of India had to treat the Hindus, who formed the vast majority of the population, with consideration and toleration. In fields relating to religion, property and several other non-religious affairs, the non-Muslim population was allowed full freedom to have their cases tried by their own communal courts.
(vi) The land revenue system under the Sultan and the ceremonies and the procedure at the royal court bear the unmistakable evidence of Indian tradition.
(vii) The medieval state under the Muslim rule was definitely a theocracy, since it had all its essential elements-the sovereignty of God and government by the direction of the God through priests in accordance with divine laws.
(viii) The Sultans of Delhi considered themselves as deputies or assistants of the Caliph who was God's representative.
(ix) Sher Shah and Islam Shah assumed the title of Caliph and the Mughal emperors, from Akbar to Aurangzeb, adopted titled like 'Shadow of God', and 'Agent of God on earth'. The sovereignty of God was unquestioned.
(x) The supremacy of the Sharia was always acknowledged, though Akbar added to the Sharia the state laws. However, these rulers did not allow the Muslim divines to dictate the policies of the state.
(xi) The primary concerns of the Delhi Sultanate included defence, law and order and collection of revenue. In other matters, it generally followed a policy of non-interference, as the welfare of the people was not the primary concern of the Sultans.
(xii) Toleration under the Sultans was the exception rather than the rule. Thus, while claiming to be Islamic the state of Delhi. Sultanate was militiaristic and aristocratic in character.
(xiii) In Mughal Empire, toleration and kindness were the guiding principles of Akbar's government. Akbar considered his subjects as his children and hence held himself responsible for their welfare. The state established by Akbar was not confined to any particular class and was based on the principle of 'peace with all'.
(xiv) In spite of imparting charities and kind monarchs the Mughal state was not a welfare state.
(xv) Extraction of the land revenue and defense were its main functions.
(xvi) The form of government was a monarchy which in spite of being hereditary could not develop a well defined law of succesion. The king was the fountain head of all branches of the government. However, weak persona of the ruler could provide the opportunity to the nobility and the ulema to exercise effective check on the royal power.
