In his book, The Culture of Power and Governance of Pakistan 1947-2008, Ilhan Niaz discusses South Asia's dominant governance model - the continental bureaucratic empire.
The Mauryan Empire (circa 300 BCE), under Chandragupta Maurya and Ashoka, exemplified a centralized and bureaucratic polity. This model emphasized a regimented administration and a strong, centralized state apparatus.
He also discussed the subsequent empires like the Gupta, Delhi Sultanate, and Mughal empires that followed a similar framework.
The Mughal Empire, in particular, showcased a bureaucratic state heavily reliant on the mansabdars, a service nobility class responsible for managing land revenue, royal armies, and local governance. This system concentrated administrative and military power within the royal household.
The advent of British colonial rule introduced a transformative governance model. Departing from the personalized governance of the past, the British instituted a state of laws. This new model emphasized the distinction between public and private property and a shift toward secular administration, particularly post-1858. The military was subordinated to civilian authority, and recruitment for public services became merit-based.
Moreover, the British introduced autonomous institutions such as public service commissions, political parties, and an independent judiciary, laying the groundwork for institutionalized governance. These reforms created a hybrid state structure that combined traditional bureaucratic elements with modern legal principles.
By the time of independence in 1947, South Asia inherited this hybrid governance model. Both India and Pakistan evolved into legal democracies, drawing from the administrative frameworks established during British rule. This blend of historical continuity and colonial innovation has profoundly shaped governance in the region, balancing traditional centralized control with modern democratic institutions.