Mansabdari system of the Mughals

The Mansabdari system was a grading system used by the Mughal rulers to establish the rank and
remuneration of Mansabdars, esteemed nobles serving in diverse administrative roles within the Mughal
Empire. These Mansabdars were appointed and dismissed at the discretion of the Mughal Emperor. The
mansabdari system was introduced by Akbar in 1571 AD as the administrative framework for the Mughal
Empire.

Origins of the Mansabdari system

The Mansabdar appears to be a Central Asian institution. There is a view that this institution came to India
with Babur. However, during Babur’s time, instead of the term of Mansabdar, the term Wajahdar was used.
Mansabdari was the administrative system implemented by Mughal Emperor Akbar in 1571. Akbar institutionalised
and reformed it based on military and civil administration. The officers who joined the Mughal Administration were
known as Mansabdars. Mansabdars could be transferred from one section of the administration to another
section, for example from military to civil or vice versa.

Who were Mansabdars?

Mansabdar is a Persian word meaning "holder of a mansab". In the Mughal Empire, a Mansabdar was an official
who held a rank in the Mansabdari system. Mansabdars were responsible for both military and civil administration.
They were granted jagirs (land grants) instead of their salaries.

Recruitment of Mansabdars
The Mughals recruited Mansabdars based on recommendations from Mirbakshi, nobles, and provincial governors.
The emperor had the sole authority to appoint and dismiss Mansabdars. Mansabdars could be promoted or
demoted based on their performance. Mansabdars could be recruited from any social background. They were
typically drawn from the nobility, the military, and the merchant class. The emperor would consider a variety of
factors when appointing a Mansabdar, including the individual's military skills, administrative experience, and
loyalty to the empire.

Ranking of Mansabdars
The Mansabdars in the Mughal Empire held ranks that determined their status and responsibilities within the
administration. The ranking system of Mansabdars was structured and organized. The ranks of Mansabdars were
denoted by a numerical value known as "Zat," which indicated the number of cavalrymen a Mansabdar was
required to maintain. The higher the Zat, the higher the rank and the greater the number of cavalrymen under their
command. Mansabdars were classified into various grades, representing different levels of authority and influence.
The highest-ranking Mansabdars held prestigious positions and enjoyed privileges in the Mughal court.
Mansabdari System – Structure

There was a dual representation of Mansab:

1. Zat – This indicated the Rank in the administration as well as the salary of the Mansabdar.
2. Sawar – This represented the Cavalry Rank. It denotes the number of horses and cavalrymen maintained
by Sawar.

The position of Mansabdar in the hierarchy depended on the Zat. Based on Zat and Sawar, Mansabdars were
classified as:

1. Third Class Mansabdar – Mansabdars were put in this classification when the number of sawar was less
than half the number of Zat.
2. Second Class Mansabdar – Under this classification, the number of Sawar is equal to half the number of
Zat.
3. First Class Mansabdar – Mansabdars who were classified as First Class had an equal number of Sawar and
Zat.

Merits of the Mansabdari System

The Mansabdari system served as the core of the Mugal government and was a unique and distinctive system. It
established the concept of uniformity in the Mughal administration, leading to political unification. It also weakened
the caste system and feudalism. There was no discrimination based on caste or religion, and they were now treated
equally. The two major flaws of the time. As a result, it became mandatory for mansabdars to appoint soldiers of all
castes and religions. Thus, This system was later implemented by Shiva Ji and Sher Shah. Mansabdari’s system, to
some extent, was successful in reducing the influence of the nobility and feudal classes. The Mansabdari system
strengthened the Mughal emperor’s position of power. The monarchial system of government was crystallised by it,
and starting with Akbar’s reign, the Mughal state moved toward a strict system of governance. Merit was also
recognised under the Mansabdari system. Akbar took harsh measures to counteract dynastic influences.

Fall of the Mansabdari System

Akbar maintained 1,803 Mansabdars, by the end of the reign of Aurangzeb, their number rose to 14,499. In Akbar’s
reign, there were 29 mansabdars with a rank of 5,000 zat; by Aurangzeb’s reign, the number of mansabdars with a
zat of 5000 had increased to 79. The increase of the number of Mansabdars during the reign of Aurangzeb led to
the Jagirdari and agrarian crisis which led to the collapse of the Mansabdari system. In Akbar’s reign, the system
worked near perfect. The revenue collected by the Mansabdar from his jagirs (and transferred to the Emperor) was
enough to pay his assigned salary as well. These jagirs, in the initial days, were carefully assessed so that their
revenues were roughly equal to the salary of the mansabdar. However, in the later stage, there was a shortage of
jagirs. Also, the size of the jagirs started to shrink. In the Aurengazeb era, the revenue collected by Mansabdars for
the government was not enough to pay the salary assigned to them, thus leading to an end of this system.
Mansabdari System under Akbar

The Mansabdari system was a unified state service of officers arranged in a military (cavalry) rank hierarchy but
performing both civil (primarily financial) and military functions under Akbar’s reign. Akabr established an
organisation where all superior officials would have their status defined in military terms. The jagirs were naturally
transferable (but not hereditary), and no mansabdar was permitted to keep the same jagir for an extended period.
The only deviation from the standard jagir transfer system was the watan-jagirs. Watan-jagirs were generally
considered acceptable to zamindars who had already possessed their watans (homelands) before the Mughal
Empire’s expansion. Watan jagirs were given to some Rajput mansabdars. The mansabdari system went through
several stages of transformation, which can be broadly classified into five:

1. The numerical rank appeared as a Mughal military fact.

2. The effective strength of mansabdar fell below the nominal strength.
3. For the first time in Indian history, double rank was introduced.
4. The soldier’s or trooper’s rank was merely a military fact.
5. The institution was reorganised by Akbar’s successors in the final phase.

The successors of Akbar delivered a significant blow to the mansabdari system in multiple ways.

Mansabdari System under Jahangir

Jahangir’s reign provided additional support for the mansabdari system. Jahangir increased the number of
mansabdars from 12,000 to 40,000, following in the footsteps of his father, Akbar. Jahangir had added a new
provision to the post of Sawar. In the case of mansabdar selection, a part of the sawar rank was called du-aspa
sih-aspa (now abbreviated as 2-3h). An additional payment of 8,000 dams per sawar was also approved for this
portion. This rank’s salary was calculated as 3,000 x 8,000 + (1,000 x 8,000 x 2) = 40,000,000 dams (If the sawar
rank was 4,000, with 1,000 being du-aspa sih-aspa). However, Jahangir’s mansabdari system was less efficient
because he was preoccupied with luxurious activities and was uninterested in state affairs. Further, Jahangir
reduced the system of two Aspas to one after Akbar’s death, reducing the Mansabdari system. Although the
number of soldiers was not to be entered in the sawar numerically granted to them, if necessary, that particular
mansabdar would secretly increase the number of soldiers. As a result, he was able to retain more soldiers without
incurring additional costs.