ムガル帝國におけるバフシ職について : 大バフシ職の運用における人的要因 (特集 ポスト・モンゴル時代のアフロ・ユーラシア)

Abstract

Many aspects of the state system of the Mughal empire remain obscure. The aim of this article is to clarify the actual operation of the office of bahsi, which shouldered military administration in the state system, and particularly those of the bahsi-an-i 'izam who occupied its leading position in the central government. This task has great significance in considering the operation of the personnel system known as the mansab system and the aristocracy of the empire. This article focuses on the period from the introduction of the mansab system in 1573/4 to the death of Awrangzib as well as confirming the position of the bahsi-an-i 'izam in the state system by surveying the office of bahsi in general throughout the Mughal empire, and by indicating the evidence to create a list of the holders of the offices thereby analyzes the personal factors of the operation of this office such as the title holder's mansab, official career, and familial relations. The following knowledge has attained through this analysis. First, the term of the bahsi-an-i 'izam was indeterminate. Second, the mansab rank on the appointment was also indeterminate. In other words, a correlation between this office and the mansab cannot be confirmed. However, the interrelated order between the first bahsi and the second bahsi was sustained by the mansab rank. Third, as for the prior positions of the holders of this office, they were chiefly of three types: other bahsis, governors of provinces or districts, and entourage of the emperor. Fourth, many ended their careers in the office of bahsi-an-i 'izam, but some were transferred to the offices of governor of a province or the minister of finance. Fifth, although the holders of the office of bahsi-an-i 'izam had characteristic offices antecedent to their appointment, no specific career pattern could be discerned. Sixth, reaching the office of bahsi-an-i 'izam functioned as a path of advancement for the close relatives of influential figures. This point differs greatly from the case of the minister of finance. Seventh, in terms of the order of appointment, bahsi-an-i 'izam had precedence over the minister of the imperial household and was subordinate to the minister of finance. This likely paralleled the order of responsibilities within the state system.