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Vividh Bharati
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Akbar's reign marked a period of efficient governance in the Mughal Empire, characterized by a well-organized central and provincial administration. His policies ensured stability and prosperity, with the land revenue system and the Mansabdari system playing crucial roles in maintaining control over the vast empire.
The central administration was structured to manage key aspects of governance, including revenue, military, and religious affairs.
Wazir (Diwan-i-ala): Led the revenue department, overseeing income, expenditure, and lands like Khalisa, Jagir, and Inam.
Mir Bakshi: Managed military affairs, supervised the armed forces, and handled horse branding.
Mir Saman: Took care of the imperial household and organized production and supplies in the Karkhanas (factories).
Sadr-us-Sudur: Head of the religious department, responsible for enforcing religious laws and managing charitable funds.
The Mughal Empire was divided into 12 provinces (Subas), each governed by a Subedar. Provinces were further subdivided into districts (Sarkars) and villages (Parganas).
Suba: Headed by a Subedar, responsible for law, order, and governance.
Sarkar: Managed by a Faujdar, who ensured law and order, as well as revenue collection.
Amil: A revenue collector overseeing the cultivation and collection of taxes from land.
Shiqdar: Assisted the Amil in revenue collection and local governance.
The Mughal land revenue system was built on two stages: assessment (Jama) and collection (Hasil), with Akbar adopting and modifying earlier systems for more standardized land measurement.
Zabt/Zabti System: A method of assessing revenue based on crop yield and land measurements.
Dahsala System: Introduced in 1580, it calculated revenue based on the average yield of the past ten years.
Land Classification: Lands were categorized into Polaj, Parati, Chachar, and Banjar, with varying tax rates applied.
The Mansabdari system was a hierarchical administrative and military structure that played a key role in Akbar's governance.
Mansabdars were officers in the Mughal administration, appointed by the Emperor to hold various civil and military positions. They were responsible for maintaining a specified number of cavalrymen (Sawar) and played a key role in the military campaigns of the empire. The term 'Mansab' means rank or position, and a Mansabdar’s rank determined his salary, military obligations, and authority within the empire.
The Mansabdari system had its origins in Central Asia, likely brought to India by Babur, though Akbar institutionalized and formalized it in 1571, refining it for military and civil administration.
Recruitment: Mansabdars were appointed by the Emperor and could be recruited from different backgrounds, with nobles playing a key role in recommending candidates. The Emperor had the power to promote or dismiss Mansabdars. Those wishing to join the service had to petition through a noble, who would present a tajwiz (recommendation) to the Emperor.
Hierarchy: Mansabdars were ranked based on their Zat (personal rank) and Sawar (number of cavalrymen maintained). The ranks ranged from the Amir of Amirs (highest rank) to the Amir-al-Kabir and Amir (lower ranks).
Zat: Represented the rank and salary, while Sawar denoted the number of horses and cavalrymen the Mansabdar was required to maintain. Based on their Zat and Sawar, Mansabdars were classified into categories: Third Class (Sawar less than half Zat), Second Class (Sawar equal to half Zat), and First Class (equal Sawar and Zat).
Salary: Mansabdars were compensated through land (Jagir) or cash (Naqdi). Jagirdars were assigned land to collect revenue from, while Naqdis were paid in cash. The post of Mansabdar was non-hereditary, and the number of Mansabdars varied over time. Under Akbar, there were approximately 1,800 Mansabdars, while during Aurangzeb’s reign, the number had increased to 14,500.
Military Responsibility: Mansabdars were obligated to provide a specific number of cavalrymen for military campaigns and maintain them at their own expense. Their ability to field cavalrymen was crucial to their rank and responsibilities.
Fall of the Mansabdari System: The Mansabdari system began to falter during Aurangzeb’s reign. The increase in the number of Mansabdars created pressure on the Jagir system, leading to a shortage of land and agrarian crises. As the revenues collected from Jagirs no longer matched the Mansabdars’ assigned salaries, the system eventually collapsed.
Akbar's policy towards the Rajputs was one of conciliation, using matrimonial alliances and offering them significant roles in Mughal administration to foster cooperation and stability.
After the conquest of Gujarat, Akbar worked on revamping the administration, particularly land revenue systems that had deteriorated after Sher Shah's death.
Akbar initially adopted Sher Shah’s system of land revenue, which fixed prices centrally, but this led to difficulties for peasants. The Dahsala system, introduced in 1580, addressed these issues by calculating revenue based on local crop yields and average prices over ten years.
The Dahsala system, introduced by Akbar in 1580, was a significant reform in the land revenue system. It calculated the average produce of crops and their prices over the past decade, and one-third of the average produce was assigned as the state's share, payable in cash.
This system alleviated the burdens on peasants by considering local productivity and prices, improving the efficiency of revenue collection.
Akbar implemented several systems to assess land revenue:
Batai or Ghalla-Baklishi System: The produce was divided between the peasants and the state in fixed proportions, ensuring fairness.
Peasants had the option to choose between Zabti and Batai systems under certain conditions, especially in years of crop failure.
Tiasaq: A rough calculation system based on previous dues or current estimations.
Land classification continued to play an important role, with categories such as Polaj, Parati, and Banjar, each subject to different tax rates.
Akbar promoted agricultural development by offering loans (taccavi) to farmers and ensuring the fair treatment of land rights. His administrative reforms helped foster agricultural improvement and supported the expansion of Mughal agriculture.
Akbar's reforms established a strong foundation for the governance of the Mughal Empire. His efficient revenue collection, military organization, and conciliatory policies towards the Rajputs were key factors in ensuring the empire's stability and growth. His reforms not only contributed to the consolidation of power but also laid the groundwork for the prosperity of future generations.
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