The Mansabdari System was an administrative system instituted in 1571 by Mughal Emperor Akbar to determine the rank and pay of the Mansabdars (nobles) serving the Mughals.
Important characteristics of the Mansabdari System:
- The Mansabdari System was a grading system utilized by Mughal rulers to determine the rank and salary of a Mansabdar (noble) who held various administrative positions within the Mughal Empire.
- The Mughal Emperor appointed and dismissed the Mansabdars, who were subject to transfer from one administrative branch (civil) to another (military).
- The Mansabdari System was founded on the state’s military and civil administration. It assisted Akbar in efficiently organizing the army and ensuring that it was well-trained and equipped with weapons and resources.
- The Mansabdari System ensured that soldiers’ promotions were based on merit and loyalty rather than birth or religion. This contributed to the soldiers’ sense of unity and loyalty.
- The Mansabdari System was a hierarchical structure that distinguished individuals according to their rank, or Mansab. The Mansabdars were separated into 33 grades ranging from ten to ten thousand.
- The Mansabdari System assisted the Mughal Empire in maintaining a centralized government. The Mansabdars were responsible for revenue collection, law enforcement, and military support for the empire.
In conclusion, the Mansabdari System was an important administrative system in the Mughal Empire that contributed to the efficient organization of the army and the maintenance of a centralized government. The system ensured that soldiers were promoted based on merit and loyalty, and it contributed to the development of a sense of unity and loyalty among the soldiers. The Mansabdari System was an important aspect of the Mughal Empire’s administration and played a crucial role in shaping the empire’s history.