Darogha

Daroghas (Urdu: داروغہ ‎) were police officials in the Mughal Empire and the British Raj.[1] Daroghas answered to district magistrates who were in charge of areas at least 100 square miles (26,000 ha; 64,000 acres); because the magistrates were responsible for such a large area, the daroghas were normally the most powerful local authorities.[2] In some cases, daroghas were in charge of factories.[3] Descendants of daroghas continue to apply this title before or after their names. Two prominent examples include Darogha Ubbas Alli and Mohra Darogha.

The women assigned to the administration of the imperial harem were also given the title of darogha. The position was appointed by the emperor himself, and marked a great honor for the woman and her family.[4] Consequently, the women given these posts were chosen because they were well brought up, educated and from respectable families.[5] Asmat Banu Begam, the mother of Empress Nur Jahan, had at one time acted in this role.[6] Female daroghas were tasked with maintaining court etiquette and keeping the peace within the harem.[7]

References
  1. Shah Mahmoud Hanifi (2011). Connecting Histories in Afghanistan: Market Relations and State Formation on a Colonial Frontier. Stanford University Press. p. 142. ISBN 0-8047-7411-0.
  2. Louis A. Knafla (2002). Crime, Gender, and Sexuality in Criminal Prosecutions. 17. Greenwood Publishing Group. p. 113. ISBN 0-313-31013-0.
  3. Mohibbul Hasan (2005). Waqai-i manazil-i Rum: Tipu Sultan's mission to Constantinople. Aakar Books. p. 14. ISBN 81-87879-56-4.
  4. Lal, K.S. (1988). The Mughal Harem. New Delhi: Aditya Prakashan. p. 52. ISBN 8185179034.
  5. Mukherjee, Soma (2001). Royal Mughal Ladies and their Contributions. New Delhi: Gyan Publishing House. p. 37. ISBN 8121207606.
  6. Jahangir, Nur-ud-Din Muhammad Salim (1974). The Tuzuk-i-Jahangiri: or memoirs of Jahangir. Lahore: Sang-e-Meel Publications. p. 216. OCLC 83636859.
  7. Abu'l Fazl Ibn-Mubarak (1977). D.C, Phillot (ed.). The Ain-i-Akbari. H. Blochman, tr. New Delhi: Munishram Manoharlal. pp. 45–47. OCLC 631607437.


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