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What jobs did kotwals perform in Mughal cities?
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Mughal dynasty
Emperors (from left, seated) Jahangir, Akbar, and Shah Jahan are depicted with their ministers (foreground) and Prince Dara Shikoh in a watercolor from India, c. 1630ā40.
In the administrative structure of the Mughal Empire, the kotwal served as a vital official in every town of consequence. Their responsibilities were multifaceted, focusing on the maintenance of urban order and public welfare. Specifically, kotwals performed the following duties:1
- Law Enforcement: They acted as the chief police officer, responsible for maintaining law and order within the city.12
- Urban Administration: They oversaw general municipal administration, which included the management of sanitation and public health.1
- Market Regulation: They were tasked with the regulation of markets to ensure orderly commerce.2
By managing these essential urban functions, the kotwal played a key role in the centralized and bureaucratic governance established during the Mughal period.12