The Khalji and Tughluq monarchs appointed military commanders as governors of territories of varying sizes. These lands were called iqta and their holder was called iqtadar or muqti. The steps that were taken to ensure that the muqtis performed their duties were:
The duties of the muqtis were to lead military campaigns and maintain law and order in their iqtas . In exchange for their military services, the muqtis collected the revenues of their assignments as salary. Their soldiers were paid salaries from the revenues.
Control over muqtis was most effective if their office was not inheritable and if they were assigned iqtas for a short ** of time before being shifted.
The conditions of working were harsh and were imposed on the muqtis.
Accountants were appointed by the state to check the amount of revenue collected by the muqtis. Care was taken that the muqti collected only the taxes prescribed by the state and that he kept the required number of soldiers.
The muqtis might have wanted to defy the orders of the Sultans because of the harsh conditions imposed on them by the Sultans.
