The following steps were taken to ensure that muqtis performed their duties effectively during the Sultanate period:
- The office of the muqti was made non-hereditary, preventing them from passing their position to their heirs and thus limiting the development of local dynasties
- Muqtis were assigned iqtas (land grants) for short durations and were frequently transferred to prevent them from gaining excessive local power or becoming independent
- Accountants appointed by the state regularly checked the revenue collected by muqtis to ensure accuracy and prevent embezzlement
- Muqtis were required to collect only the taxes prescribed by the state and maintain the prescribed number of soldiers for military support to the Sultan
Despite these controls, muqtis may have wanted to defy the orders of the Sultans for several reasons:
- They maintained their own armies and controlled revenue collection, which gave them significant local power and resources, potentially encouraging rebellion or defiance against the Sultan
- The harsh conditions of service, including frequent transfers and strict supervision, may have caused dissatisfaction among muqtis
- Ambitions to establish independent rule or become local rulers could motivate muqtis to defy Sultan's authority and assert autonomy over their iqtas
In summary, the Sultanate employed administrative measures such as non- hereditary appointments, short tenures, financial audits, and regulated military obligations to keep muqtis in check, but the combination of local power and personal ambition often led muqtis to challenge the Sultan's orders.
