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Mansabdari System: The Mediaeval-era Bureaucracy
The mansabdari system, or mansab system, was brought into force in 1571 under the rule of Akbar. To understand the system in a more precise manner, the structural setup can be compared in a fundamental manner to the current administrative system of India. So, what is it all about?
The word “Mansab” has its roots in the Arabic language and literally means rank or position. The nobles enrolled in the Mughal service were called “Mansabdars”. The mansabdari system comprised all the aspects of administration: civil, military and revenue affairs of the empire. The mansabdars comprised the ruling class initially, but later the entire nobility, military hierarchy, as well as the bureaucrats used to hold mansabs.
Recruitment of the Mansabdars
For joining the royal services, an official recommendation was made by a noble called the ‘Mir Bakshi to the emperor. Mir Bakshi used to recommend the applicant suitable to be a mansabdar to the emperor. The emperor was presented with a ‘Tajwiz’ (petition) by Mir Bakshi. Then, the eligible applicants were granted mansabs.
The enrolment, promotion and dismissal of the mansabs were solely in the emperor’s hands. The mansabs could also be transferred from one part of the empire to the other anytime by the emperor. People from all castes and religions were admitted into the mansabdari system based on their merits.
Features of the Mansabdari System
There were three broad categories of the division of the Mansabdars:
- Mansabdar: Official allotted a zat of mansab less than 500
- Amir: Official allotted a mansab of 500-2500
- Amir-i-umda: Official allotted a mansab higher than 2500
During Akbar’s reign, the lowest rank allotted was 10, and the highest was that of 10,000. The highest rank was exclusively for prince Jahangir. Later, Akbar raised the mansab to 12,000. Under the Mughals after Akbar, the highest mansab rose gradually to 40,000 and lasted up to 50,000 during the rule of Aurangzeb.
There were two subdivisions of the mansab
- Zat: Personal rank. The salary was based on the zat assigned to the mansabdar.
- Sawar: Cavalry rank. Required the mansabdar to maintain the cavalry according to the rank assigned, including the horses as well.
Akbar had recruited around 1,803 mansabdars, which rose to 14,499 by the time of Aurangzeb. Akbar had 29 mansabdars with a mansab of 5,000 zat, whereas Aurangzeb had 79 mansabdars of the same mansab and zat.
Now, based on the zat and sawar, there were three categories of the mansabdars:
- First-class Mansabdar: No. of zat = No. of sawar
- Second-class Mansabdar: ½ the no. of zat = No.of sawar
- Third-class Mansabdar: ½ the no. of zat > No.of sawar
This can be explained with a simple example. A mansabdar assigned a rank of 2000 sawar and 5000 zat held a higher post than the one with a rank of 3000 sawar and 4000 zat.
There were two methods of salary payment of the mansabdars
- Naqdi: Salary when received directly through cash payments ‘Naqd’.
- Jagir: Salaries were based on the revenue collections from the ‘Jagirs’ (land areas). The mansabdars who were assigned jagirs were known as ‘Jagirdars’. It is also called the Jagirdari system.
Jagirdari System
The jagirs were the fixed pieces of land allotted to the jagirdars, from which they were entitled to collect revenue and other taxes imposed by the authorities, which were appointed by the emperor. The revenue collection from a jagir was handed over to the assigned jagirdar, however, with the deduction of the same amount from his salary.
The jagir was not hereditary in nature, and after the death or dismissal of a mansabdar, his assets, including the jagirs and wealth, were taken over by the state. The mansabdars were liable for transfers, as no mansabdar was entitled to hold on a jagir for a long time period.
It needs to be kept in mind that the jagirdars were only entitled to collect revenues from the assigned jagir. They had no rights over the land allotted to them.
Conclusion
The mansabdari system was basically a grading system in order to rank the officers based on their ranks and salaries. It comprised all the aspects of administration: civil, military and revenue affairs of the empire. The mansabdars were recruited through official recommendations by Mir Bakshi. All the departments were equally important, be it civil or military.
