Short answers, pulled from the story.
The word Subahdar emerged from the Persian language to designate the supreme governor of a province during the Mughal era. This title, also known as Sahib-i-Subah or Nazim, represented the apex of provincial power within the vast administrative machinery of the Khalji, Tughlaq, and Mughal dynasties.
The appointment of a Subahdar was typically reserved for Mughal princes or officers holding the highest mansabs, which were the military and civil ranks that defined the Mughal nobility. These men were chosen for their lineage, their loyalty to the Emperor, and their ability to command the loyalty of the local population.
A Subahdar was assisted by a provincial Diwan who managed the treasury and revenue collection, ensuring that the Emperor's share of the wealth was never lost to corruption or mismanagement. A Bakhshi oversaw military recruitment and pay, while a Faujdar commanded the local police and military forces, creating a system where the Subahdar's military power was often checked by the Diwan's financial control.
The rise of the Nawabs of Bengal and the independent kingdoms that emerged in the 18th century marked the period when governors began to mint their own coins, raise their own armies, and ignore imperial decrees. This transition from Subahdar to Nawab marked a shift from imperial governor to regional sovereign, a transformation that would eventually lead to the British East India Company's ability to exploit these divisions and conquer the subcontinent.
These governors were the living embodiment of imperial will, tasked with collecting revenue, maintaining order, and leading armies, all while navigating the treacherous political waters of the Mughal court. Their power was so absolute that they could raise armies, mint coins, and execute justice without immediate recourse to the central throne, making them the de facto rulers of their territories until the Emperor's decree arrived.