Discussion on Module 4

Some of the common names of the courts were:

The King’s Court: This was the highest court of appeal and was presided over by the Sultan or the Emperor himself. It exercised both original and appellate jurisdiction in all kinds of cases.

Diwan-e-Mazalim: This was the highest court of criminal appeals and was nominally headed by the Sultan, but in his absence, the Chief Justice (Qazi-ul Quzat) or the Sadre Jahan (the head of the religious department) would preside over it.

Diwan-e-Risalat: This was the highest court of civil appeals and was also headed by the Sultan, the Chief Justice or the Sadre Jahan. It dealt with cases related to religious matters, such as inheritance, marriage, divorce, etc.

Sadre Jahan’s Court: This was the court of the head of the religious department, who was appointed by the Sultan and was superior to the Chief Justice. He had the power to appoint and dismiss the Qazis (judges) and Muftis (legal experts) and to supervise the administration of justice in the realm.

Chief Justice’s Court: This was the court of the Qazi-ul Quzat, who was the actual head of the judiciary and tried all types of cases. He was appointed by the Sultan from among the most virtuous and learned men in his kingdom.

Diwan-e-Siyasat: This was the court of the Prime Minister (Wazir) or the Governor (Nazim) of the province, who had the power to try cases of treason, rebellion, corruption and other serious offences against the state.