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The post is first attested in the early years of the 12th century, during the vizierate of al-Afdal Shahanshah, when Husam al-Mulk Aftakin is mentioned as holding it. It effectively replaced the office of 'master of the curtain' (), which was usually held by a court eunuch of Saqlabi origin. Unlike the latter office, the was always held by a military officer, and was counted among the most senior rank of commanders (the 'commanders with a collar', ). From the time of Abu'l-Muzaffar Khumurtash in , the had the appellation ('the exalted, glorified').
Most of the information about the duties of the office comes from the historian, and one-time Fatimid official, Ibn al-Tuwayr. When the vizier was not of military origin, the was responsible for hearing the petitions and grievances () in the vizier's stead, taking up a seat at the Golden Gate, the entrance to the caliphal palace, for the purpose. When the vizier was a military commander, the took up a role as the vizier's deputy and chief assistant. He also shared with the army's commander-in-chief ( or ) responsibility over military affairs.
As head chamberlain, the also had a prominent role in public ceremonies and palace receptions. For ceremonial matters he had a deputy, to whom the important role of leading envoys to their assigned places. He was usually drawn from the juridical or religious officials, and was addressed by the title of .
Described as a "second vizierate", the office ranked second after the vizier in the official hierarchy, and served as a springboard for the vizierate itself for three of its holders: Abu'l-Fath Yanis, Ridwan ibn Walakhshi and Dirgham. The office is translated by modern scholars as "high chamberlain" or "majordomo".
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