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Khalsa Darbar records
Khalsa Darbar records, also known as Lahore Darbar records, refers to the official government documents produced by the Sikh Empire's administration in India and Pakistan (which was referred to as the Khalsa Darbar or Lahore Darbar). The records cover various aspects of the state, such as civil, military, and revenue administration.
The extant records covers the years 1811–1849 (Samvat 1868 to Chet 1906 B.S.), covering a period of 38 years, though the Pakistani government claims to possess records dating earlier to 1804.
Much of the extant Khalsa Darbar records relate to the economic/financial management system of the Sikh Empire. The economic-related records can be divided into four categories. Some of the records relate to correspondences and treaties between the British East India Company and the Sikh Empire.
The Daftar-i-Fauj records relate to the army. This category of records consists of pay-rolls of the cavalry, infantry, and artillery of the Sikh Empire's military forces, from which information can be deduced about the composition and strength of it. Even the salaries of blacksmiths and beldars attached to the military are noted in the records. Conclusions can also be made about the caste-background of the military and the dominance of various castes. For example, until 1813 the military was mainly composed of Hindustanis, Gurkhas, and Afghans, with Jat Sikhs being a smaller element. After 1818, Punjabi Hindus, Sikhs, and Muslims became predominant in the Sikh Empire's military. It is important to note that membership of the Sikh military was not restricted to any particular caste or class. The records also reveal the names generals, colonels, and commandants of the Sikh military forces. The records reveal that in 1811, the Sikh Empire's military consisted of 2,852 infantry and 1,209 artillery. By 1845, these figures had risen to 70,721 total, with 53, 962 infantry, 6,235 cavalry and 10,524 artillery. The infantry and cavalry was 60 percent composed of Sikhs, 20 percent Muslims, and 20 percent Hindu. The artillery regiments were dominated by Muslims, with some being commanded by European officers. The total military expenditure amounted to 12,796,482 rupees, which was around a third of the annual revenue of the empire. The records note the date of transfers from one military unit to another, and removals by death, desertion, or dismissal. The pay-roll records and the jama' kharch (income and expenditure) records reveal the expenditures for the three branches of the military but also notes the income from rents of shops in regimental bazaars, revenue earned from selling the property of men dying without heirs, and a return of the in'ams or awards bestowed upon infantry officers on the occasions of Dussehra and Diwali.
The Daftar-i-Mal records relate to the revenue department. They can be further subdivided into three sub-categories:
The Sikh system of collecting revenue and maintaining accounts was well-developed, including the royal expenditures. From these records, information can be obtained regarding the reorganization of administrative sub-divisions of the polity, namely the taluqas, detailing the districts and their subdivisions. Within each taluqa of the Sikh Empire, a general summary settlement was produced, recording the total area of cultivable land and the liabilities and rights of the landlords over the paying tenants. The names of the kardars (governors) of the administrative divisions are noted, as well as the per annum state revenue from various sources.
The Daftar-i-Toshakhana records relate to the royal wardrobe and the maharajas' privy purse. Inventories of confiscated properties and treasures are recorded in them. Corrupt officials had their immorally obtained wealth taken away from them.
The Jagirat records relate to the jagirs' accounts. Jagirs of various kinds were bestowed upon or assigned to civil and military officers but also religious figures and shrines. Many of the extant Khalsa Darbar records are in the form of dharmarth (charity) grants.
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Khalsa Darbar records
Khalsa Darbar records, also known as Lahore Darbar records, refers to the official government documents produced by the Sikh Empire's administration in India and Pakistan (which was referred to as the Khalsa Darbar or Lahore Darbar). The records cover various aspects of the state, such as civil, military, and revenue administration.
The extant records covers the years 1811–1849 (Samvat 1868 to Chet 1906 B.S.), covering a period of 38 years, though the Pakistani government claims to possess records dating earlier to 1804.
Much of the extant Khalsa Darbar records relate to the economic/financial management system of the Sikh Empire. The economic-related records can be divided into four categories. Some of the records relate to correspondences and treaties between the British East India Company and the Sikh Empire.
The Daftar-i-Fauj records relate to the army. This category of records consists of pay-rolls of the cavalry, infantry, and artillery of the Sikh Empire's military forces, from which information can be deduced about the composition and strength of it. Even the salaries of blacksmiths and beldars attached to the military are noted in the records. Conclusions can also be made about the caste-background of the military and the dominance of various castes. For example, until 1813 the military was mainly composed of Hindustanis, Gurkhas, and Afghans, with Jat Sikhs being a smaller element. After 1818, Punjabi Hindus, Sikhs, and Muslims became predominant in the Sikh Empire's military. It is important to note that membership of the Sikh military was not restricted to any particular caste or class. The records also reveal the names generals, colonels, and commandants of the Sikh military forces. The records reveal that in 1811, the Sikh Empire's military consisted of 2,852 infantry and 1,209 artillery. By 1845, these figures had risen to 70,721 total, with 53, 962 infantry, 6,235 cavalry and 10,524 artillery. The infantry and cavalry was 60 percent composed of Sikhs, 20 percent Muslims, and 20 percent Hindu. The artillery regiments were dominated by Muslims, with some being commanded by European officers. The total military expenditure amounted to 12,796,482 rupees, which was around a third of the annual revenue of the empire. The records note the date of transfers from one military unit to another, and removals by death, desertion, or dismissal. The pay-roll records and the jama' kharch (income and expenditure) records reveal the expenditures for the three branches of the military but also notes the income from rents of shops in regimental bazaars, revenue earned from selling the property of men dying without heirs, and a return of the in'ams or awards bestowed upon infantry officers on the occasions of Dussehra and Diwali.
The Daftar-i-Mal records relate to the revenue department. They can be further subdivided into three sub-categories:
The Sikh system of collecting revenue and maintaining accounts was well-developed, including the royal expenditures. From these records, information can be obtained regarding the reorganization of administrative sub-divisions of the polity, namely the taluqas, detailing the districts and their subdivisions. Within each taluqa of the Sikh Empire, a general summary settlement was produced, recording the total area of cultivable land and the liabilities and rights of the landlords over the paying tenants. The names of the kardars (governors) of the administrative divisions are noted, as well as the per annum state revenue from various sources.
The Daftar-i-Toshakhana records relate to the royal wardrobe and the maharajas' privy purse. Inventories of confiscated properties and treasures are recorded in them. Corrupt officials had their immorally obtained wealth taken away from them.
The Jagirat records relate to the jagirs' accounts. Jagirs of various kinds were bestowed upon or assigned to civil and military officers but also religious figures and shrines. Many of the extant Khalsa Darbar records are in the form of dharmarth (charity) grants.