Qazi
Also called: Kazi · Topic: Turkic Invasions and the Delhi Sultanate · NCERT: Class 12, Ch 1 "Through the Eyes of Travellers"
Meaning
A qazi (or kazi) was a judge under Muslim rulers. He decided cases according to sharia, which is Islamic law. In the Delhi Sultanate, qazis worked in towns and cities. They mostly dealt with cases about marriage, inheritance and religious matters. Through them, the sultan ran his justice system.
Example
The Moroccan traveller Ibn Battuta reached India in the 14th century. Muhammad bin Tughlaq made him the qazi of Delhi. Later, Ibn Battuta also worked as a qazi in the Maldives.
Don't confuse with
- Mufti: a mufti explained the law and gave formal opinions on it. The qazi was the judge who actually decided cases.