The Mansabdari System in the Mughal Dynasty

MANSABDARI SYSTEM IN MUGHAL DYNASTY Mansab was the generic term for the military type grading of all imperial officials of the Mughal empire.The mansabdars governed the empire and commanded its armies in the emperor’s name.The term is derived from Mansab, meaning rank.Hence,Mansabdari literally means rank-holder.Basically,the mansabdar system was borrowed from Persia.It was prevalent during the reign of Babur and Humayun.Mansabdar was a title used in the armed services of the Mughal empire.The term is derived from Mansab, standing for rank,mansabdar literally means a rank holder in military.A mansabdar was engaged in the service of the state and was obligated to render service.The mansabdars formed a military aristocracy which proved an admirable instant in the organization of Chengiz and Timur. The“ mansab” meant rank.Different numbers which could be divided by ten were used for ranking officers.It was also meant for fixing the salaries and allowances of officers.Since,the mansabdars of the mughal empire received their pay either in cash(naqd) or in the form of assignments of areas of land(jagir) from which they were entitled to collect the land revenue and all other taxes sanctioned by the emperor,the mansabdar system was also an integrated part of the agrarian and the jagirdari system. This system introduced by Akbar .It was a unique feature of the administrative system of the Mughal Empire.The term mansab (i.e.officer,position,rank)in the mughal administrative indicated the rank of its holder(mansabdar) in the official hierarchy.It was of central Asian origin.According to one view Babur brought it to North India.
DEVELOPMENT OF MANSABDARI SYSTEM-
During the reign of Akbar, the lowest rank was that of number ten and the highest was that of twelve thousand.The mansab above five thousand and later on that of seven thousand was given only to princes of royal blood.Jahangir and Shahjahan awarded mansab to their officers upto the number

References: 1.The Evolution of the Mansab System under Akbar until 1596-7-SHIREEN MOOSVI. 2.Rank Mansab in the Mogul State Service-W.H.MORELAND. 3.Medieval India(1526-1761)-SATISH CHANDRA. 4.Medieval India(750-1540)-HARISHCHANDRA VERMA.