Shahna-i-Mandi
Topic: Turkic Invasions and the Delhi Sultanate · NCERT: Beyond NCERT
Meaning
Shahna-i-mandi means "superintendent of the market". Alauddin Khalji appointed these officers in Delhi in the early 14th century, as part of his market control system. They made traders sell at the fixed prices and kept a register of merchants. They also punished cheating, such as using false weights. They worked under the Diwan-i-Riyasat, the department that ran the market system.
Example
In Delhi's grain market, the shahna-i-mandi checked that wheat and other grain were sold at the prices the sultan had fixed. A shopkeeper caught giving short weight could be harshly punished.
Don't confuse with
- Diwan-i-Riyasat: this was the whole department in charge of the market system. The shahna-i-mandi was an officer working under it.
Related concepts
- Khilji dynasty
- Jalaluddin Khalji
- Alauddin Khalji
- Mongol invasions of India
- Siri Fort
- Hauz Khas
- Alai Darwaza
- Market reforms of Alauddin Khalji
- Diwan-i-Riyasat
- Dagh and chehra