What were the Relations between Centre and Provinces during the Mughal Empire?

In theory, the Central Government under the Mughals exercised considerable control over the provinces. The various officials in a province were transferred from one province to another after certain intervals so that vested interest may not develop and result in abuse of power.

There was a regular machinery of supervision, and control. The news-writers appointed by the Central Government and posted in the provinces kept the Centre informed of all that happened in the provinces.

If any complaint was made against any official in a province, severe action was taken against him and if the news-writer failed to report the state of affairs in the province in which he was posted, he was also punished. The Mughal Emperors went on tours from time to time and the people could make their complaints in person. Sometimes the representative of the people sent complaints to higher authorities and on that basis; orders for warning transfer or dismissal were issued.

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The system of Dak Chaukies was made more efficient and thereby the Mughal Capital was linked up with various parts of the Mughal Empire within less than week news reached the Mughal capital from all parts of the empire. Thus, the Mughal Emperors claimed that they exercised strict control over the provinces.

However, it cannot be said that the Central control over the provinces was in any way efficient in actual practice. There was a general saying that Delhi was far away and consequently the Governors and other officials of the province did whatever they pleased. They knew that they could do whatever they pleased without any punishment. It was possible that no complaint may reach the Central Government against them.

The person oppressed could be forced to keep quiet in many ways. Pressure could be put on him and his relatives. They all could be threatened with dire consequences. Hence even if crimes were committed, the Centre did not have any knowledge of them. It is true that there are certain stories about people managing to come to Delhi or Agra from various parts of the empire and putting their complaints before the emperor but those cases must have been few and far between. With the existing means of communication and transport, such persons could be intercepted on the way.

Moreover, even if the complaints reached the Central Government, the emperor might not consider it politic to take action in the matter. Severe action might lead to a rebellion and the very existence of the empire may be threatened. No emperor would like to take such a risk. It is also pointed out that there were provinces like Kabul, Bengal, Gujarat and the Deccan where many would not like to go as Governors and hence the Central Government would hesitate to take any action against the Heads of those provinces even if they committed certain offences. It is also pointed out that the Subedars or the Faujdars could escape punishment by keeping the news-writers in good humour so that either the matter was not reported at all or the same was put in a very mild form.