Match the following:

List-I (Posts) – List-II (Departments)
(A) Mir Bahar – (i) Incharge of military affairs
(B) Mir Bakshi – (ii) Incharge of Navy & river transport
(C) Mir Saman – (iii) Incharge of Artillery
(D) Mir Atish – (iv) Incharge of Royal Household

Question

Match the following:

List-I (Posts) –  List-II (Departments) 
(A) Mir Bahar – (i) Incharge of military affairs 
(B) Mir Bakshi – (ii) Incharge of Navy & river transport 
(C) Mir Saman – (iii) Incharge of Artillery
(D) Mir Atish –  (iv) Incharge of Royal Household

Accepted Answer

The correct option is 2:

The central administration of the Mughal Empire was highly organized, featuring specialized officers responsible for distinct departments. Option 2 accurately matches these posts to their functions: (A) Mir Bahar – (ii) Incharge of Navy & river transport; (B) Mir Bakshi – (i) Incharge of military affairs; (C) Mir Saman – (iv) Incharge of Royal Household; and (D) Mir Atish – (iii) Incharge of Artillery. The Mir Bakshi was crucial, acting as the head of the military department, responsible for recruitment, intelligence, and the maintenance of the *mansabdari* system, though he did not command the army directly. The Mir Saman (also known as Khan-i-Saman) oversaw the imperial factories (karkhanas), stores, supply of provisions, and the entire royal household management. Mir Atish was specifically the chief of the imperial artillery department, which was vital to the Mughal army's strength. Mir Bahar managed the navy and water-based transportation, including river traffic and harbours.

The incorrect option is 1: This option incorrectly links Mir Bakshi to the Royal Household (iv) and Mir Saman to Artillery (iii). Mir Bakshi was primarily associated with the military, while Mir Saman managed the household/karkhanas.

The incorrect option is 3: This option incorrectly links Mir Bahar to Artillery (iii) and Mir Bakshi to Navy/river transport (ii). Artillery was under Mir Atish, and the Navy was under Mir Bahar.

The incorrect option is 4: This option incorrectly links Mir Bahar to the Royal Household (iv) and Mir Atish to military affairs (i). The Royal Household was managed by Mir Saman, and Mir Atish specialized only in Artillery, not general military affairs which were handled by Mir Bakshi.