Mansabdari System as discussed by Harsh
Babur established Mughal empire in c. 1526 after defeating Ibrahim Lodhi at the Battle of Panipat. After that number of changes were brought by Mughals in state system in India. Babur lived for short-period of time after establishing empire and Humayun was struggled for empire for so many years and finally conquered Sur empire in c. 1555 but he died very next year and hence, both Babur and Humayun got little time for brought changes in state system. It was Akbar who consolidated the empire and brought number of changes in state system.
Mansabdari system was one of that change brought by Akbar in c. 1567, which he adopted form Persia. In this system, nobles and military personnel were awarded with a ranked called “Mansab”. And rank holders came to known as “Mansabdar”. It was introduced by Akbar in his 11th year of reign and evolved with time under coming rulers.
Also Read : Akbar – Theory of Kingship
Sher Shah Suri – Foundation of Sur Empire and Reforms
Mughal Empire – Turko-Mongol Theory of Kingship
Features and Merits of Mansabdari System
The Mansabdari system was based on the merit as only meritorious candidates were given Mansab ranks. The names of such candidates were recommended by Mir Bakshi and appointments were made directly by Emperor. This system also contained the element of bureaucratic state as Mansabs were state officials. This system helped in the integration of the state as Mansabs were responsible for maintaining troops and revenue collection in their respective areas.
Both Muslims and Non-Muslims were given Mansab ranks and hence, it was a secular system in nature. During the reign of Akbar, the percentage of non-Muslims was around 20 and which was high as 33% during the reign of Aurangzeb. This system promoted healthy competition among nobles to achieve higher ranks and better Mansabs by performing good. The system was hereditary because Mansabs were only given for the life time as the law of escheat followed.
According to the law of escheat, whatever wealth Mansabdar accumulated during his life time, all of that what was took over by state after his death. Time to time transfer of Mansabdars was another important feature which help in avoiding Mansabdars to develop close connection with local peoples as it indirectly helps in avoiding the possibility of rebel and revolts.
A temporary rank was known as Mashrut rank was given to Mansabdar to meet some emergency requirements and once they met, it was taken away. This system contains dual ranking of Zat and Sawar. Zat was the total number of horses, mules, camels and carts etc. that a Mansabdar could maintain. Sawar was the total number of horsemen which a Mansabdar was to maintain. The salary of Mansabdars was dependent on the number of Zat and Sawars maintained by him.
According to Abul Fazal, there was 66 categories of Mansabdars on the basis of Zat and Sawars with 10 Zat was lowest and 10k Zat was the highest rank. The ranks of above 5k were reserved for royal family members. Man Singh was the only Rajput noble to got a Mansab rank of 7k. The duties and responsibilities of Mansabs were well-defined. The regular inspection of troops by Mansabdars was important feature of this system. Daag was followed which is the branding of horses. The descriptive roll of soldiers was maintained, known as Chehra.
Naqdi and Jagirdari systems were followed for the payment to Mansabdars. Naqdi was the cash payment given to Mansabdars and Jagirdari was the land grants to Mansabdars. Decimal system was followed in military organization. 10 soldiers formed the smallest unit and therefore, the strength of troops was in ratio of 10. This system evolved with time as new elements were added under different rulers.
Evolution of Mansabdari System
The system of Dah Bisti was introduced by Akbar to ensure the availability of horses with Mansabdars. Maintaining additional horses was also necessary to replace injured and sick horses during wars. In this system, every unit of 10 soldiers was asked to maintain 2 horses each. This system did not work properly because it was impossible for maintaining 2 or 3 horses by every soldiers.
Thus, Jahangir dropped this system and introduced Du Aspa – Si Aspa system (2 horses- 3 horses). Under this the Sawar rank soldier was asked to maintain 2 horses each. Shah Jahan introduced the system of monthly scale or partial ranking for the elimination of corruption from the system. Whenever a Mansab was given, the salary of Mansabdar was estimated known as Jama (total salary of Mansabdar).
During the allotment of Jagir to Mansabdars, Jama was deliberately inflated so that state could manage with smallest possible Jagir. The Hasil (realized income) was less than Jama in most of the cases that’s why Mansabdars make every possible effort to avoid responsibilities. Shah Jahan introduced 10 monthly, 8 monthly, 6 monthly and 4 monthly scale in ratio of shortfall of their income. Partial ranks of 1/3rd, 1/4th, and 1/5th also given to Mansabdars.
1/3rd ranking was given to Mansabdars who were posted in the area of same Jagir. The ranking of 1/4th was given to those Mansabdars who were posted in a different province than their Jagir. The ranking of 1/5th was given to Mansabdars who were posted in the region of Balk-Badakhshan and Deccan.
Significance and Contribution of Mansabdari System
This system helped in the consolidation of empire. It provided the service of most meritorious nobles. It helped in integration of military and civil functions of Mughal Empire. This also helped in the territorial expansion of the empire as Mansabdars involved in the territorial expansion of state. The Rajput policy of Mughal was made a success by using this system.
This system helped in preventing revolt and rebellions. It helped in the countering the orthodox elements in the state as a result secular outlook of state emerged. This system helped in maintain higher order of bureaucracy and effective administration. It helped in strengthening of the centralization system of Mughal empire.
Limitation of Mansabdari System
Since, the system was centralized in nature and hence, efficient and effective ruler needed to maintain the system. hence, when weak ruler sat on the throne of Mughal Empire after the death of Aurangzeb, the system started collapsing under its own weight. The soldiers maintained by Mansabdars were loyal to Mansabdars as they were worked under them for their whole life. During the reign of Shah Jahan, the impractical ranks of 40k and 60k were awarded which distorted the system.
The difference between Jama and Hasil was a constant problem. Shah Jahan tried to reduce the corruption by monthly scale and partial ranking but the problem remains the same. During the reign of Aurangzeb, the good Jagirs were remains few in number and hence, Mansabdars started to compete with each other for good Jagirs which eventually result in exploitation of peasants as Fauzdari rights (revenue collection rights) were given to Mansabdars by Aurangzeb. This whole crisis came to known as Jagirdari crisis.
And in the end this whole system of Mansabdari was become the main reason behind the decline of Mughal empire.