Bakhshi (Mughal Empire)

The Bakhshi (lit. 'Giver') in the Mughal Empire denoted a number of hierarchical government officials, typically involved with military administration and intelligence. The offices were introduced during the reign of Mughal emperor Akbar. Bakhshis were found in both the central and provincial administration; the most notable kind of bakhshi was the mir bakhshi, one of the empire's four ministers, broadly in charge of administering the mansabdari system (and the military therein). Along with the wazir, the mir bakhshi was one of the leading officials of the empire.