The Mughal Empire, renowned for its grandeur and efficient administration, relied on intricate systems to govern its vast territories. Two crucial components of the Mughal administrative structure were Mansabdari and Jagirdari, both playing pivotal roles in the empire’s military and revenue management.
Mansabdari System:
1. Origin:
- The Mansabdari system was a hierarchical ranking system introduced by Emperor Akbar in the late 16th century. The term “Mansab” translates to “position” or “rank,” and individuals within this system were referred to as “Mansabdars.”
2. Rank and Responsibilities:
- Mansabdars were military commanders or officials appointed by the emperor.
- Each Mansab had a numerical rank, indicating the number of soldiers the officer was expected to maintain.
- The system had various ranks, ranging from as low as 10 to as high as 7,000.
3. Dual Role of Mansabdars:
- Mansabdars held dual responsibilities, serving both in civil and military capacities.
- They were expected to be proficient in administrative duties while maintaining a contingent of soldiers for imperial service.
4. Salary and Revenue Assignment:
- Mansabdars were paid through cash salaries, known as “Zat” (personal salary), and “Sawar” (for maintaining cavalry).
- The emperor granted revenue assignments known as “Jagir” to Mansabdars to support their military expenses.
5. Promotions and Demotions:
- Promotions were based on loyalty, competence, and achievements in military service.
- Demotions or reductions in rank were also possible, depending on performance or imperial decisions.
6. Akbar’s Innovations:
- Akbar introduced the concept of “Zabt” or the fixed revenue system, ensuring stable revenue collection and reducing the dependency on local intermediaries.
Jagirdari System:
1. Function:
- The Jagirdari system was a land revenue assignment system that granted rights over revenue collection to individuals known as “Jagirdars” or “Jagirdars.”
2. Granting of Jagirs:
- The emperor granted Jagirs as rewards for military service, administrative efficiency, or as a form of salary.
- Jagirdars were given the right to collect revenue from a specific territory.
3. Revenue Collection and Responsibilities:
- Jagirdars were responsible for collecting revenue from their assigned territories and remitting a portion to the imperial treasury.
- They could employ agents or officials to assist in revenue collection.
4. Preventive Measures:
- To prevent exploitation and excessive accumulation of power, the jagir was often not hereditary.
- Transfers or reshuffling of Jagirs were common to curb the influence of powerful nobles.
5. Land Revenue Share:
- Jagirdars received a share of the revenue collected from the assigned territory, known as “Mansab,” to support their military contingents.
6. Stability and Challenges:
- The Jagirdari system provided stability in revenue collection but also posed challenges related to corruption, inefficiency, and exploitation of the local population.
Read our ALL MEDIEVAL HISTORY NOTES.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is Mansabdari in the context of Mughal India?
A: Mansabdari was a system of military ranking and administrative hierarchy introduced by Emperor Akbar during the Mughal era. Under this system, officials, both military and civil, were granted mansabs, or ranks, based on their competence and loyalty to the emperor. The higher the mansab, the greater the number of soldiers one was required to maintain.
2. How did the Mansabdari system contribute to the Mughal administration?
A: The Mansabdari system helped centralize power in the Mughal Empire. It provided the emperor with a loyal and professional class of officers who were directly accountable to the central authority. This system also facilitated the efficient mobilization of the military by attaching a specific number of soldiers to each mansabdar.
3. What was the role of Jagirdari in the Mughal administrative structure?
A: Jagirdari was a land revenue assignment system in the Mughal Empire. Under this system, the emperor granted jagirs (land revenue assignments) to Mansabdars instead of their salary. The Jagirdars, or holders of jagirs, were responsible for collecting and managing revenue from their assigned territories.
4. How did the Jagirdari system impact the Mughal economy and administration?
A: The Jagirdari system had both positive and negative effects. On the positive side, it provided an efficient way to compensate Mansabdars and ensured a steady revenue stream for the government. However, it also led to some issues, such as the exploitation of peasants by Jagirdars and the possibility of revenue officials prioritizing their interests over state revenue collection.
5. What were the challenges and eventual decline of the Mansabdari and Jagirdari systems?
A: Over time, the Mansabdari system faced challenges such as corruption, revenue evasion, and the decline of the quality of the military. The Jagirdari system also contributed to economic problems as the revenue assignments became hereditary and were often mismanaged. Both systems changed and faced decline during the later years of the Mughal Empire, contributing to the overall weakening of Mughal administrative and economic structures.
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