Question

Describe the features of the imperial organization of the Mughal empire.

Answer 1

1. The Mansabdari System: The backbone of the Mughal administration was the Mansabdari system, introduced by Akbar. It was a unique grading system that determined the rank, salary, and military responsibilities of every officer (Mansabdar).
   1. Zat and Sawar: A rank was divided into two numerical values.
      • Zat indicated the personal status and salary of the officer.
      • Sawar indicated the number of cavalrymen (horsemen) the officer was required to maintain for the Emperor’s army.
   2. Non-Hereditary: Unlike European feudalism, these ranks were not inherited. Upon an officer's death, his property and rank reverted to the Crown (Escheat system).
   3. Meritocracy: Recruitment was open to various ethnicities,Irani, Turani, Rajput, and Indian Muslims,to prevent any single group from becoming too powerful.
2. Revenue Administration (Zabt System): The Empire’s wealth was built on land revenue. Under the guidance of Raja Todar Mal, the Mughals developed the Zabt or Dahshala system.
   1. Land Surveying: Land was carefully measured and classified based on its fertility (e.g., Polaj for annually cultivated land vs. Banjar for barren land).
   2. Revenue Fixation: The state took roughly one-third of the average produce, calculated based on the prices of the previous ten years.
   3. Jagirdari: Most Mansabdars were paid through Jagirs (land grants). They collected revenue from these lands to cover their salaries and military costs, though the land technically remained the Emperor’s property.
3. Administrative Divisions: To maintain control, the empire was divided into a clear hierarchy of administrative units:
   1. Subah (Province): Managed by a Subahdar (Governor).
   2. Sarkar (District): Managed by a Faujdar (Military head) and Amalguzar (Revenue collector).
   3. Pargana (Sub-district): The basic unit of administration.
   4. Village: The smallest unit, where local headmen (Chaudhury or Muqaddam) assisted in revenue collection.
4. Central Government Departments: The Emperor was the absolute head, but he was assisted by four main ministers:
   1. The Vakil: The Prime Minister (significant during early reigns, later became ceremonial).
   2. The Diwan-i-Ala: The Finance Minister, responsible for all revenue and expenditure.
   3. The Mir Bakshi: The head of the military department and the intelligence network.
   4. The Sadr-us-Sudur: The minister in charge of religious matters and charities.
5. The Intelligence Network: The Mughals stayed informed through a robust spy and news-reporting system.
   1. Waqia-navis: News reporters stationed in provinces who sent regular reports to the court.
   2. Harkaras: Spies and couriers who ensured that information traveled swiftly across the vast empire.