Final answer:
The Iqtadari system was a land distribution and administrative method used in the Sultanate period to assign land to military officials and other dignitaries. It ensured loyalty by tying service obligations to land holdings that were revocable by the Sultan. It was similar to the timar system in the Ottoman Empire, another such structure that prevented hereditary power bases from forming outside the central authority's control.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Iqtadari system was indeed a unique type of land distribution and administration system that evolved during the Sultanate period, particularly in the Islamic empires. It involved assigning land, referred to as Iqta, to military officials and other dignitaries as a means of compensating them for their service instead of a salary. These landholders, known as Iqtadars or sometimes as amirs, were responsible for maintaining the lands, collecting taxes, and providing military services to the empire. This system ensured their loyalty, as the land ultimately belonged to the Sultan, who could revoke the Iqta if the holders did not fulfill their duties.
Similar to the Iqtadari system was the timar system of the Ottoman Empire, where timars were granted to military members for similar purposes. These practices prevented the development of an independent hereditary class and kept the power concentrated in the hands of the ruling Sultan or caliph. The recipients of these lands were incentivized to treat the local population well and to improve agricultural productivity as it directly benefited their revenue through collected taxes.
The sultani and baladi systems of irrigation during the Mamluk period in Egypt are examples of public and local control of essential services, respectively. These broad-reaching administrative structures, like the Iqtadari system, show the intricate management and governance models that were necessary for the effective control and expansion of Islamic empires, with impacts on local economies, military loyalty, and administrative efficiency.