[ The Royal karkhanas of Delhi sultanate and

Mughal empire ]

NAME :- VIPUL BAROT

PRN :- 8021065689
SUBJECT :- THE ROYAL KARKHANAS
DEPARTMENT OF HISTORY.
THIRD YEAR B.A
MAHARAJA SAYAJI RAO UNIVERSITY OF VADODARA.

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 In this assignment we will look about the karkhanas of

Delhi sultanate and Mughal Empire. After the
establishment of Delhi sultanate so many new things
come into indian subcontinent by the Delhi sultanate
like new tax system, different administration system and
karkhana is also one of them, later it was forwarded by
Mughal empire.

 Karkhanas are in simple language it’s a department of

some perticular work which was controlled by the ruler
or the government. term “karkhana” is commonly used
in South Asian and Middle Eastern history, particularly
during the Mughal and Delhi Sultanate periods, to
describe these workshops.
 Karkhanas, also known as “Karkhanas-i-Taraim” in Delhi
Sultanate, were royal workshops or industrial complexes
where various crafts and industries were established to
produce goods for the state and the elite. These were
mostly workshops or factory in which large amount of
goods were produced it’s included coins , luxury items,
coins , weapons, textile, cloths production for the ruler
or the sultan. Skilled artisans and craftsmen worked in
these Karkhanas, producing high-quality items for the
royal court and nobility.

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Karkhanas under Delhi sultanate

 The Royal Karkhanas under & the delhi sultanate. Which

thrived during the medieval period of india.

 Karkhanas played a significant role in the production of

high-quality items for the elite, contributing to the
cultural and economic development of their respective
regions. Also Played a vital Role in sustaining the
economic and administrative infrastructure of the
sultanate Established by various rulers Across the Delhi
Sultanate's history.

 The Delhi Sultanate period Sultan maintained very big

household staff. Besides his harem, the slaves and other
 attendants and his courtiers, the sultan employed most
of people to look after the protection his person his
recreation and his domestic attendants is general. To
cater to the needs of these vast household the Sultan
maintained various ‘Karkhanas’ or Royal stores. These
Karkhanas had multiple functions in the political and
social life of the rulers of Medieval Ind Karkhanas looked
after the provisioning of the royal stabi 4/37 supervision
of the royal buildings for which they maintained a whole
army of masons and architects.

 The Karkhanas were under the charge of distinguished

noble who was assisted by other subordinate
superintendents (mustasrrifs) who were themselves
nobles of rank and were appointed directly by the
Sultan,’ all of them were paid very high salaries, and the
charge of a store was considered quite as remunerative
as the governorship of a big town like Multan.

 K. M. Ashraf thinks that The system of the royal

Karkhanas was probably borrowed from Persia, The fact
is that state-factories were an ancient institution.

 Afif classifies the royal Karkhanas into two categories,

namely (1) Ratibi (2) Ghair Ratibi.

 Ratibi were those which had fixed annual Grants, such

as, Peel Khana (Elephant stables), Paigah (Cavalry
 stables),Matbakh (Kitchen), Sharab Khana (Wine Celler),
Shama Khana (Candle Stick and lights), and Abdar Khana
(Water supply Department). One lakh Sixty thousand
Tankos per month Was the fixed grant for these Ratibi
Karkhanas.

 In the ghair Ratibi karkhanas the grant was not fixed

such as farrash khana ( carpet) , jamdar khana
(wardrobe).The expenditure upon these Karkhanas
varied from year To year in accordance with the
quantity of new goods ordered to be Made each year

Types of karkhanas under Delhi

sultanate
 As we understand about the concept of karkhanas,
further there are so many different karkhanas under the
Delhi sultanate.

1. Armory Karkhanas: This also known as tofkhana-

iamiri. These workshops crafted swords, spears,
shields, and armor, contributing to the strength of
the Sultanate’s armed forces. They are specialised
in weapon making.

2. Jewelry Karkhanas: This Karkhanas were main

craftsmanship, producing intricate jewelry,
 precious gemstone settings, and luxury items and
supply it to the sultan and the powerful nobles.

3. Architectural karkhanas: These were involved in the

design, construction, and decoration of
architectural wonders, and Muslim architecture
was one of the huge change comes to the India .

4. Coin Minting Karkhanas: these karkhanas Played

very important role in the Delhi sultanate from the
economic perspective, they produce coins for the
State And they also printed the name of sultan and
the Khalifa on the coins .

5. Textile Karkhanas: like other karkhanas Also in this

karkhanas many skilled artisan were employed in
this karkhanas mostly workers are specialised in
weaving and they were expert in carpet making and
other work.

6. Manuscript Illumination Karkhanas: in this

karkhanas they focus on manuscript and calligraphy
it’s have huge contribution for the development of
Islamic art and culture.

 To handle this karkhanas Sultan appointed officers and

these officers late appointment able workers for the
karkhanas , there are some of officers who were
responsible for the management of the karkhanas.
 During the time of Tughlaq Dynasty Each Karkhana was
placed under the charge of a Khan or Malik of high rank,
and a general superintendent was appointed over them.
The General Superintendent of all the Karkhanas was
Khwaja Abdul Hassan. When the Sultan wanted anything
to be made, the royal order was first of all sent to the
General Superintendent who in turn passed it on to the
Superintendent of Karkhana concerned where the royal
order was quickly executed.

1. Amir-i-diwan : this post in the karkhanas is

moreover like the supervisor of the karkhana he
had to manage the overall management of the
Karkhanas.
2. Amir-i-faujdari : this post was mostly for the
military karkhanas they are responsible for the
production of weapons and to maintain karkhanas.
3. Amir-i-tijarat : this post was the main and this
officer was the head or the incharge of the
commercial activities of karkhanas, they have to
manage trade a, import, export and commerce.
There also other officers who played important role
to manage karkhanas.

 These officers Played important role to run these

karkhanas smoothly they managed workers, production,
records, And their main role was to maintain economic
stability in the Delhi sultanate.


THE MUGHAL KARKHANAS

 The Mughals in India introduce several institutions and
the most important was the karkhanas during the
Mughal period it was a place where workers and
craftsman could experiment with new ideas and
techniques.

 The foundation of Mughal Karkhanas can be attributed

to Emperor Babur. After Babur’s victory at the First
Battle of Panipat in 1526, he established a number of
Karkhanas. These karkhanas were for producing textiles
and other goods to meet the demands of the Mughal
court and the elite class. During the rule of Humayun
this concept development continue to evolve , intrest of
Humayun in art expand the role of karkhanas. In the
period of Akbar(1556-1605) was known for his interest in
promoting art and culture. He established numerous
Karkhanas that specialized in textiles, arms and armor,
jewelry, and manuscript illumination.

 Akbar’s policies encouraged the growth of these

workshops, and they played a central role in the Mughal
economy , Successive Mughal emperors, including
Jahangir, Shah Jahan, and Aurangzeb, continued to
maintain and expand the Karkhanas. Shah Jahan, in
 particular, was known for his patronage of art and
architecture, which led to the creation of exquisite items
in the Karkhanas, including the famous Taj Mahal.

 Mughal karkhanas were initially established by the

Akbar in proper system in the late 16th century, and
Mughal emperors notably Akbar, jahangir, Shahjahan
give patronage to this karkhanas and they also provide
financial support.

 These karkhanas were mostly located in the main city of

the empire or near major cities such as Agra, Delhi, and
Lahore.

 Under the Mughals the number of various factories, was

established in view of new needs. Every need which was
felt had to be fulfilled and a store or a workshop was
added to the existing establishment. The staff of every
Karkhana varied in accordance with the needs: for
instance the matbak or kitchen would have chefs and
cook where as the library would employ calligraphists
and painters.

 These Royal karkhanas were ran on the basis of the

large scale industries and the biggest advantage of the
Karkhanas is that the artisans were highly encouraged to
their art and the work is carried from generation to
generation.
 The Mughal karkhanas can be classified into five groups.

1. Animals karkhanas

2. Stores

3. Factories and Stores

4. Office of administration and court life

5. Emperors personal service

 In the ain-i-akbari Abul Fazal speaks about the various

karkhanas in the country and also about the karkhanas
in the Agra during the reign of Akbar, the city of Agra is
very important from the economic point of view it
remains one of the biggest commercial centre in the
Mughal empire
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TYPES OF THE KARKHANAS UNDER

MUGHAL EMPIRE
 Different types of karkhanas were established under the
Mughal empire to manage the needs of the Royal family
and the emperor. Some the Karkhanas were similar as
the Karkhanas in Delhi sultanate.
1. Textile Karkhanas: in this karkhanas Skilled weavers
and dyers worked in these Karkhanas, often using
expensive materials like silk, brocade, and muslin.
The textile produced were important for royal
family and also for international trade. This was the
centre part of the Mughal economy.

2. Karkhanas of painting : different ruler of Mughal

empire maintained the paining karkhanas mostly
rulers from the empire were interested in the art
and painting. This karkhanas also known as tasvir
khana , Abul Fazal give information about this in
ain-i-akbari. One of the important Projects of
Akbar's reign was the Hamza nama in which the
story Is beautifully described with painting. After a
Survey of Mughal miniatures almost 225 names of
Painters so far been noted. During the time of
jahangir, the Tasvir Khana developed.

3. Shawl Karkhanas : Shawl Karkhana is one of the

important workshops of Mughal era as under the
Mughals it has been craze to have affine Shawl
especially from Kashmir in keeping interest in
textiles Akbar showed great interest in the shawl
manufacture of Kashmir as shown in Ain-i-Akbari,
Abul Fazl gives good account of Kashmiri shawls.
Term tushau khana also used for this karkhana.
 Emperor Akbar paid special attention for the
manufacture of variety of shawls like Zardozi
(embroidered with gold and sequins),
Kalabatun(design brocaded with gold wire),
Qasidah(pattern was embroidered not woven),
Qalghai(it is either silk or gold wire or bore pine
cone patterns), Bandhnun (tye-dyed pattern), Chint
(floral patterns in the manner of calico prints).

4. Arms and Armory Karkhanas: Arms and armory

Karkhanas known as Qur Khana was a thriving
industry for manufacturing swords, daggers,
shields, armours, arrows, bows, spears and
matchlocks.

Here the weapons were manufactured tested and

stored. Almost each and every Mughal emperor
gives attention on the working of the Qur Khana.
The swords which was made in these Karkhanas for
the emperors contained gold and silver inlaid hilts.
Couplets or names of the emperors were inscribed
on the blade of the Swords.

5. Karkhanas of Carpet: This karkhana also known as

farrash khana .The Mughal Period is marked by
beautiful and elegant carpets. The Mughal
emperors put special emphasis in the production of
carpets.
 The carpets display on beautiful variety of
decorative designs. Akbar in his Karkhanas
appointed experienced work men who produced
many masterpieces. Skilled artisans are found
specially in Agra, Fatehpur and Lahore. Beautiful
varieties of decorative designs of woolen carpets
are made in Kashmir, Fatehour and
Jaunpur.Emperor Akbar introduced cotton carpets
and set the manufacture units in Agra, Lahore and
Fatehpur Sikri. Ain-i-Akbari mentioned silken
carpets and brocades being extensively encouraged
by the emperor.
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The administration of the Mughal

karkhana

 The Mughal karkhanas were well organised and

different rulers give attention to these karkhanas
because these karkhanas Played important role in the
Mughal economy.
 The information about this Karkhanas or the factories
functioned is available from the details of different
traveller who visit the Mughal court.
 Like the Delhi sultanate here also different officers were
appointed by the Mughal emperor and different post
they handle.
1. Darogha : each karkhana had a inspector who had
Direct relation with the artisans of his branch and he
also distribute daily work to the artisans or the
workers and he also responsible for the the material
given to them.
2. Mushriff-i-kul o – juj : He was the chief accountant of
the Karkhana each karkhanas have this post.
3. Tahvirdas : This post is like cashier or the store keeper
every factory have the tahvirdas he was like darogha
who was also maintain goods and cash for the
branches.
4. Mir-i-saman : He was the chief executive officer who
was responsible for the smooth running and
monitoring of the Karkhanas.
 He was placed incharge of the material working
of the Karkhanas including factories and Stores,
not only in the capital but in every provincial
capital as well as in different parts of the empire.
5.Diwan-i-bayatut : He was a very high ranking
officer and mainly handled the financial
responsibility of the department.
6. Mustaufi : it was like the auditor , he audited the
account of the Karkhanas varified the expenditure
with voucher, prepared a statement, signed it
himself , put it before the diwan of the department
and finally had the fear of the mir-i-saman put to it.
7. Dorogah-i-kacheri : he was the officer of general
ssupervision. It was his duty to see that all papers
and register were taken from one officer to another
properly.he locked the door of the office with seal
of the officer concerned and put his seal on
each ...thus he appears to have been the head of
the clerical establishment of the entire
department.
8. Nazir : nazir’s position was below the diwan . It
was the receiving officer who ensure that the work
could be done more efficiently and correctly.
 As far as the actual work of the department was
concerned, Nazir was more concerned with
financial side than the executive side of the
department. His position was definitely Below
that of diwan and in no way was he equipment
to diwan.
 Information about the condition of workers of
karkhanas. Some historians give the information
about this in Ain-i- Akbari and in foreign
travellars.
 Abu fazl mentions that Skilled artisant had no
independent Workshop in delhi, under the
system of Imperial factories, it seems that the
artisans used to get protection, encouragement
and Security.
 Wages were Paid to artisans and the unskilled
labour on a daily basis. And only regular
employees, whether craftsmen or domestic
Sesvants, received their pay monthly.
 The wages of skilled workers were notably more
in the imperial Karkhanas. As described in the
Am-i-Akbari (c. 1595). Which is Official -accouant
Empire, Abu’l- Fazi ibn mubashark explained the
detailed Wages for all such Categories, and also
Stated invariably in Copper Coins Cubens daily
rates are quoted.
 Mirat-a-Ahmadi, mentions that Aurangzeb
Abolished kinds of license tax imposed an artists,
Earlier artisans had to Pay many kinds of taxes
which affected their economic Condition.
 These were also favorable Conditions for the
artisans, most importantly, they were
encouraged by the emperors.
 The Condition of the workman engaged in there
works also improved. The second favourable
thing was to encourage the artisan by Some
powerful Rich Class. The royal workshop Proved
to be be helpful in spreading talent and raising
the culture of Country.

Conclusion

Conclusion :- The KARKHANAS of the Delhi

sultanate and Mughal empire Played very vital role
in the socio-economic and culture part of Indian
subcontinent. These imperial workshop were more
than the factory it’s also responsible for the skills
and artists. These karkhanas also played very
important role during the wars and the battles the
economy of the empire or the ruler mostly depends
on these karkhanas .During the reign of Aurangzeb
the number of these karkhanas decreased . It is
suggested that he hated luxuries , also during the
later Mughals the position of karkhanas didn’t
improve, with the decline of the Mughal empire in
the 17th and 18th centuries the royal karkhanas also
witnessed the Decline due to the political and
economic instability of the empire which also led to
the downfall of the empire.