Mansabdari System
Key Pointers
- Introduced by Akbar in 1570–71 (possible Central Asian/Mongol influence). Mansab means rank or office.
- Dual ranks:
- Zat: personal rank, which determined status and salary.
- Sawar: number of cavalrymen the mansabdar had to maintain. Sawar rank could not exceed the Zat rank.
- Ranks: From 10 to 5,000 for nobles under Akbar (princes held higher ranks, up to 10,000+). Mansabdars up to 500 Zat; Amirs between 500 and 2,500; Amir-i-Umda/Umara above 2,500.
- Salary: Paid in cash (naqdi) or via jagirs (jagirdars). Jagirs were transferable, and the jagirdar had no proprietary rights over the land.
- Features: Non-hereditary; both civil and military duties; appointed, promoted and dismissed by the emperor.
- Control: Dagh (branding of horses) and Chehra (descriptive roll of soldiers).
- Classes by sawar: Under Jahangir, do-aspa sih-aspa system (a part of the mansabdar's sawar with a 2/3 horse ratio). Under Shah Jahan, the month scale was introduced (sawar rank paid for only part of the year).
- Problems: Under Aurangzeb, increasing numbers of mansabdars (especially Deccani and Maratha) and fewer jagirs caused the jagirdari crisis (bejagiri).
MCQs
Q1. Zat rank in the Mansabdari system indicated: (a) Number of horsemen (b) Personal status and salary (c) Land revenue assigned (d) Number of elephants Answer: (b).
Q2. The Mansabdari system was introduced by: (a) Babur (b) Humayun (c) Akbar (d) Jahangir Answer: (c).
Q3. The jagirdari crisis became severe under: (a) Akbar (b) Jahangir (c) Shah Jahan (d) Aurangzeb Answer: (d).