Mansabdari System of Akbar in Hindi | Medieval History for UPSC

Summary

The video explains the Manasabdari system in the Mughal Empire under Akbar. This system combined both military and civil roles, with officials holding ranks (Manasabs) ranging from 10 to 7000. The video details how each rank was associated with both administrative and military duties, with responsibilities such as recruiting cavalry, maintaining contingents, and ensuring quality control. It also discusses the hierarchical structure of Manasabdars, their income sources, and their military obligations. The system was influenced by earlier practices, including those of the Mongols and Delhi Sultanate, and was central to organizing Akbar's military and administrative structure.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Mughal Empire did not differentiate between civil and military services, with officials performing both roles.
• 😀 Akbar introduced the Mansabdari system to regulate imperial services, assigning ranks to officers called 'Mansabdar'.
• 😀 Mansabdar ranks ranged from 10 (lowest) to 5000 (highest) during Akbar's reign, later increasing to 7000 during Aurangzeb's rule.
• 😀 Mansabdars were categorized into three groups based on their rank: 1st category (highest rank), 2nd category (moderate rank), and 3rd category (lowest rank).
• 😀 Mansabdars were responsible for recruiting and maintaining cavalry, with the number of horses affecting their military ranking.
• 😀 The Mansabdar's responsibilities included ensuring the fitness and experience of cavalry recruits and using only high-quality horses like Arabian and Iraqi breeds.
• 😀 Akbar's system required detailed documentation for every soldier, called 'chehra', to ensure their competence and readiness.
• 😀 Mansabdars were responsible for maintaining diverse military contingents, including archers, musketeers, and specialists for fortifications, among others.
• 😀 The salary of Mansabdars was substantial, often paid in land grants or cash, with higher ranks receiving significantly more than lower ranks.
• 😀 Akbar also implemented a system of periodic inspections to ensure the preparedness of Mansabdar's contingents, with each soldier’s role validated against their 'chehra'.

Q & A

What was the 'Manasabdari System' introduced by Akbar?

The Manasabdari System was a hierarchical structure created by Emperor Akbar to regulate the administration and military officers. It involved assigning ranks (manasabs) to officials, where each official had both a personal administrative rank (jat) and a military rank (sawar), which determined their responsibilities in recruiting and maintaining soldiers and horses.

What were the two main components of the 'Manasabdari System' ranking?

The two main components were 'jat' and 'sawar.' The 'jat' rank indicated an official's administrative position, personal status, and salary, while the 'sawar' rank determined the number of cavalrymen an official maintained and reflected their military capabilities.

How did the 'jat' and 'sawar' ranks affect a Manasabdar's responsibilities?

The 'jat' rank dictated an official’s personal status, salary, and administrative duties, while the 'sawar' rank was directly linked to their military responsibilities, particularly in terms of the number of cavalry they were expected to maintain and their military leadership.

What was the significance of maintaining two horses per cavalryman in the Manasabdari system?

The requirement of two horses per cavalryman was essential for maintaining the efficiency of the cavalry. One horse would be used for fighting, while the other rested, ensuring the readiness and strength of the horses during prolonged campaigns.

How were soldiers and horses inspected in the Manasabdari system?

Soldiers and horses were periodically inspected to ensure they met the imperial standards. This included checking the soldiers' fitness and experience, as well as verifying the quality of horses, which were branded using the imperial mark ('daag'). Any substandard soldiers or horses impacted the Manasabdar's rank.

How were the salaries of Manasabdars structured?

Manasabdars received their salaries based on their 'jat' rank, either in cash or land grants (jagirs). Higher-ranked Manasabdars received significantly higher pay. For instance, a Manasabdar of rank 5000 could earn 30,000 per month, while a rank 1000 Manasabdar earned around 8,200 per month.

What were the responsibilities of a Manasabdar besides recruiting soldiers?

In addition to recruiting cavalrymen, a Manasabdar was responsible for assembling a complete military contingent, including archers, musketeers, and engineers for fortifications. They also had to maintain transport units such as carts, horses, camels, and elephants.

What role did the 'daag' system play in the Manasabdari system?

The 'daag' system, which was introduced by Alauddin Khilji, was used to brand horses with an imperial mark. This was done to ensure that the horses in the army were of good quality and to prevent the swapping or theft of horses.

How were the ranks of Manasabdars divided, and what were the categories?

Manasabdars were categorized into three groups: 'Manasbdar' for lower ranks (up to 500), 'Amir' for mid-level ranks (500 to 2500), and 'Amir Umda' for higher-level ranks (2500 to 7000). These categories reflected their status, responsibilities, and the size of their military contingents.

How did the Manasabdari system impact the organization of the Mughal army?

The Manasabdari system was a unique and efficient method for organizing the Mughal army. It established clear hierarchical structures, with each officer responsible for maintaining a specific number of soldiers and horses, ensuring the army was well-equipped and disciplined. It also fostered a merit-based system, where officials could be promoted based on their performance.