Waqia-navis
Also called: Waqia-nawis · Topic: The Mughal Empire: Babur to Aurangzeb · NCERT: Beyond NCERT
Meaning
A waqia-navis (also written waqia-nawis) was a Mughal news-writer. He was posted in provinces, towns and army camps. He sent regular written reports to the emperor about local events, and about how governors and other officials behaved. These reports helped the emperor watch over a huge empire from far away and keep his officers in check. The news-writer worked alongside the harkaras, who were runners and spies, as part of the imperial intelligence system.
Example
In Aurangzeb's reign (1658–1707), news-writers in the provinces sent regular reports to the court. A dishonest or rebellious official could be found out and recalled before trouble spread.
Don't confuse with
- Harkara: a runner or spy who carried messages and gathered secret news. The waqia-navis was the official who wrote the formal news reports.