Medieval India — (C) The Mughal Empire — Question 4
Back to all questions(a) The Mansabdari system introduced by Akbar was a unique feature of the administrative system of the Mughal Empire. It was a grading system used by the Mughals to fix rank, salary and military responsibilities. Under this system, every officer was assigned a rank (mansab). Thus, the term Mansabdar refers to an individual who holds a mansab, meaning a position or rank. The Mansabdars formed the ruling group in the Mughal empire. Almost the whole nobility, the bureaucracy as well as the military hierarchy, had mansabs. The lowest rank in the system was 10 and the highest was 5000 for nobles. The mansabdars received their salaries as revenue assignments called jagirs. However, they only had rights to the revenue of their assignments, they didn't actually reside in or administer their jagirs.
(b) The Mansabdari system was a grading system used by the Mughals to fix rank, salary and military responsibilities. These ranks were divided into two, namely Zat and Sawar. Zat fixed the personal status of a person and the salary due to him. The higher the Zat, the more prestigious was the noble's position in court and the larger his salary. The Sawar rank indicated the number of cavalrymen or sawar a mansabdar was required to maintain.
(c) Jahangir maintained the Mansabdari system developed by Akbar. But he reduced the average rate of Zat salary from Rs. 240 per annum to Rs. 200 per annum. Shah Jahan reduced the number of sawars a noble was requied to maintain. Thus, a noble was expected to maintain a quota of only one-third of his sawar rank and in some cases, one-fourth. During the reign of Aurangzeb, there was a huge increase in the number of mansabdars. These and other factors created a shortage in the number of jagirs.
Chapter Overview: The Mughal Empire
The Mughal Empire (1526–1857) was one of the most powerful dynasties in Indian history, founded by Babur after his victory at the First Battle of Panipat (1526). The empire reached its zenith under Akbar, Jahangir, Shah Jahan, and Aurangzeb, covering nearly the entire Indian subcontinent. The Mughals brought administrative efficiency, cultural synthesis, and architectural grandeur to India.
Akbar was the greatest Mughal emperor, known for his policy of Sulh-i-Kul (universal peace), the Mansabdari system, Din-i-Ilahi, abolition of Jizya, and patronage of arts. Shah Jahan’s reign is called the Golden Age of Mughal Architecture (Taj Mahal, Red Fort, Jama Masjid). Aurangzeb expanded the empire to its largest extent but his religious intolerance, reimposition of Jizya, and long Deccan wars weakened it. The empire declined due to weak successors, Maratha resistance, regional revolts, and eventually British expansion.
Board Exam Weightage: 6-7 marks | Difficulty: Moderate
Key Mughal Emperors
| Emperor | Reign | Key Achievement |
|---|---|---|
| Babur | 1526–1530 | Founded empire; Panipat (1526); wrote Baburnama |
| Humayun | 1530–1556 | Lost and regained empire; defeated by Sher Shah Suri |
| Akbar | 1556–1605 | Sulh-i-Kul; Mansabdari; abolished Jizya; Fatehpur Sikri |
| Jahangir | 1605–1627 | Chain of Justice; patron of painting |
| Shah Jahan | 1628–1658 | Taj Mahal, Red Fort; Golden Age of architecture |
| Aurangzeb | 1658–1707 | Largest extent; reimposed Jizya; Deccan wars led to decline |
Must-Know Concepts
- Mansabdari System: Ranking system for officials (mansabdars) with Zat (personal rank) and Sawar (cavalry) ranks
- Akbar’s Policies: Sulh-i-Kul (universal tolerance), Din-i-Ilahi, Ibadat Khana (House of Worship), Todar Mal’s revenue system
- Revenue System: Todar Mal introduced Zabt system — measuring land and fixing revenue based on crop yields
- Mughal Architecture: Blend of Persian, Central Asian, and Indian styles; use of domes, minarets, gardens, marble inlay
- Decline: Aurangzeb’s intolerance, Maratha resistance (Shivaji), long Deccan campaigns, weak later Mughals, rise of British
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Confusing Akbar’s policies (tolerance, abolished Jizya) with Aurangzeb’s (reimposed Jizya, destroyed temples)
- Writing that Din-i-Ilahi was a new religion forced on people — it was a spiritual path with voluntary membership
- Forgetting Sher Shah Suri’s interregnum between Humayun’s two reigns
Scoring Tips
- For Akbar questions, cover: administration (Mansabdari), religion (Sulh-i-Kul), revenue (Todar Mal), arts (Navaratnas)
- Contrast Akbar and Aurangzeb for comparison questions — very frequently asked
- Mention specific architectural works with their builder for architecture questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What was Akbar’s Sulh-i-Kul policy?
Sulh-i-Kul meant universal peace and tolerance towards all religions. Akbar abolished Jizya and pilgrim taxes, appointed Rajput nobles to high positions, and built the Ibadat Khana at Fatehpur Sikri for interfaith dialogue.
Why did the Mughal Empire decline?
Aurangzeb’s religious intolerance alienated Rajputs, Marathas, and Sikhs. His 25-year Deccan campaign drained resources. After his death in 1707, weak successors, regional rebellions, and eventually British expansion dismantled the empire.
What was the Mansabdari system?
A hierarchical system where officials (mansabdars) were given ranks (1–7000) determining their salary and the number of soldiers they maintained. The Zat rank indicated personal status, while the Sawar rank indicated cavalry obligation.