Wazir in general terms means the prime minister or chief minister. The institution of wazir was there in the Abbasid period, and during the sultanate of Delhi and in Bengal also wazir played a very important part in the administration. His position and prestige was next to that of the sultan and though he was appointed and could be dismissed by the sovereign, he was the chief advisor of the sultan.

The wazir was in charge of the revenue and financial administration. The office of wazir continued in the Mughal period. He was often the revenue and finance minister and was sometimes designated as Diwan. [Abdul Karim]