Nawab of Dir Shah Jehan: Administrative and Ruling Policy (Malakand Pedia)

Urdu Description 

 ملاکنڈ پیڈیا.. 

نوابِ دیر شاہ جہان کا حکومتی ڈھانچہ.. نواب شاہ جہان( کے بی ای.. نائٹس آف دی برٹش ایمپائر ٹائٹل کا حقدار)  1925 میں ریاستِ دیر کے حُکمران بنے. آپ نوابِ سوئم  ہے. 

 پہلی فُرصت میں نواب شاہ جہان نے ریاستِ دیر کو نو تحصیلوں ,تحصیل دیر, تحصیلِ کوہستان, تحصیلِ تیمرگرہ, تحصیلِ  بلامبٹ, تحصل براول,تحصیل اُوچ, تحصیل  مُنڈا , تحصیل ثمر باغ اور تحصیل ادینزئی میں تقسیم کیا.

اسکے بعد نواب شاہ جہان نے اپنی کونسل مندرجہ ذیل عُہدوں سے ترتیب دی.

.تحصیلدار..تحصیلدار جو سارے تحصیل کا سربراہ ہوتا تھا. 

.صوبیدارِ خزانہ. وزیرِ خزانہ کو صوبیدارِ خزانہ کہا جاتا تھا.  جو ریاستی خزانے کا انچارج ہوتا تھا. 

. مُشیرِ مال.. ریاستِ دیر کے علاقوں سے ریونیو جمع کرنا مُشیرِ مال کی ذمہ داری ہوتی تھی. مُشیرِ مال کو  یہ اتھارٹی حاصل تھی کہ وہ تحصیلدار کو اپنے عُہدے سے ہٹائے. 

.میر مُنشی..  نوابِ دیر شاہ جہان کا پرسنل سیکرٹری میر مُنشی کہلاتا تھا.جو روزانہ کے معاملات سے نوابِ دیر کو باخبر رکھتا تھا. 

. سٹیٹ مرزا.. سٹیٹ مرزا  ریاست کے سول اور ملٹری  ریکارڈ کو محفوظ کرنے کا پابند تھا. آپ ملٹری آفیسرز اور دوسرے عُہدہ داروں کے تنخواوں کا ریکارڈ بھی محفوظ رکھتے تھے. 

6. وزیرِ خارجہ..  نوابِ دیر کے دوسرے ریاستوں (سوات اور چترال)  کے ساتھ تعلقات رکھنے پڑتے تھے اور اس عرض سے وزیرِ خارجہ بھی آپکے کونسل میں ایک اہم عُہدیدار ہوتا تھا. 

تحریر امجد علی اُتمانخیل.

Introduction

Nawab Shah Jehan Khan was one of the prominent rulers of the Princely State of Dir. He assumed power in 1925 and is regarded as the third Nawab of Dir State. He was also awarded the title of KBE (Knight of the British Empire) for his political relations and administrative role during the British colonial period.

His rule is considered significant due to the development of a structured administrative system within Dir State.

Administrative Division of Dir State

One of the early administrative reforms introduced during Nawab Shah Jehan’s rule was the division of Dir State into multiple tehsils (administrative units) to improve governance and control.

The state was divided into the following tehsils:

• Tehsil Dir

• Tehsil Kohistan

• Tehsil Timergara

• Tehsil Balambat

• Tehsil Barawal

• Tehsil Ouch

• Tehsil Munda

• Tehsil Samar Bagh

• Tehsil Adenzai

This division helped strengthen local administration and improved governance in remote and mountainous areas.

Administrative Council of Dir State

To manage state affairs effectively, Nawab Shah Jehan organized a structured administrative council consisting of various officials responsible for different departments.

1. Tehsildar

The Tehsildar was the head of a tehsil and was responsible for maintaining law and order, revenue collection, and general administration within the area.

2. Soubedar-e-Khazana (Finance Officer)

The Soubedar-e-Khazana served as the Minister of Finance. He was responsible for managing the state treasury and financial affairs of Dir State.

3. Mushir-e-Maal (Revenue Advisor)

The Mushir-e-Maal was responsible for collecting revenue from different regions of the state. He also had the authority to supervise and, in some cases, remove Tehsildars from their positions if required.

4. Mir Munshi (Personal Secretary)

The Mir Munshi acted as the personal secretary of the Nawab. His duties included maintaining daily records, managing correspondence, and keeping the Nawab informed about administrative matters.

5. State Mirza

The State Mirza was responsible for maintaining both civil and military records of the state. He also kept official records of salaries and administrative documentation of officers.

6. Foreign Minister

The Foreign Minister handled the external relations of Dir State, particularly with neighboring princely states such as Swat and Chitral. This position was important for maintaining diplomatic and political relations in the region.

Significance of Administrative Reforms

The administrative structure introduced under Nawab Shah Jehan played an important role in:

• Strengthening centralized governance

• Improving revenue collection

• Enhancing law and order

• Establishing structured bureaucracy

• Managing relations with neighboring states

These reforms reflect the transition of Dir State from a traditional princely system toward a more organized administrative framework.

Conclusion

Nawab Shah Jehan’s ruling policy marked an important phase in the history of Dir State. His administrative reforms, division of tehsils, and structured council system helped establish a more efficient governance model.

His rule represents a significant stage in the political and administrative development of the princely state of Dir during the British colonial period.

Written by: Amjad Ali Utmankhel