- During the heyday of Mughal rule, provincial administration was headed by Diwan (Head of revenue administration) and Nazim (Head of Executive). Both were directly appointed by the Emperor and they controlled the province on behalf of the Emperor. Other officials like Amils, Faujdars, Kotwals etc. were also appointed by the emperor. Thus, through control over appointments, Emperor indirectly controlled provincial administration.
- Decline of the Mughal Empire, weak emperors and successful resistance by Marathas and Sikhs encouraged many local landlords and nobles to claim independence. Governors of rich provinces of Bengal and Awadh established themselves as independent rulers, appointed their officials, and nominated their successors to establish their independent rule over provinces. Except for theoretical allegiance to Mughal Emperor in the form of sending tributes, provincial governors had total control.
Three Categories of Emerging Kingdoms
- Successor states: States which broke away from the Mughal emperor: Awadh, Bengal and Hyderabad fall into this category. All these three provinces were directly under control of the Mughal Administration. The sovereignty of Mughal Emperor was not challenged, though there was establishment of practically independent and hereditary authority by the governors and subordination of all offices within the region to the governors.
- New states set up by rebels against the Mughals: Marathas, Sikh state in Punjab and Jat State in adjoining areas of Delhi fall in this category.
- Independent states: These states emerged by taking advantage of weakness of Mughal imperial control over provinces. Mysore, Rajput kingdoms and Kerala fall in this category.
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