Name: Mughal Empire: Rules of Succession
Uploaded: 2019-07-19
Duration: 4 min 51 s
Description: Inheritance through primogeniture is an ancient way of passing down a parent's wealth to their children. But is it still practiced today?

Question

What was the Mansabdari System? How was it organised?

Accepted Answer

The Mansabdari System was a crucial military-administrative framework within the Mughal Empire, put into place by Mughal Emperor Akbar in the sixteenth century.

Under this system, officials were called mansabdars or mansabs, depending on how well they could supply the imperial army with infantry, cavalry, or elephants. Because these mansabs were not inherited, a meritocratic philosophy was promoted.

To support their military units and themselves, mansabdars had two duties: they were to serve in the military when called upon by the emperor and gather money from designated jagirs. With the emperor having the power to award or cancel mansabs, the system ensured central control while permitting flexible promotions and demotions. To maintain control over the military, mansabdars were paid in cash and the imperial treasury paid their soldiers directly.

Because appointments were made based on ability rather than social class or background, the method was particularly important in facilitating the integration of many ethnic, cultural, and religious groups into the imperial administration. The Mansabdari System served as the Mughal Empire's dynamic and efficient means of administrative coherence, tax generation, and military organization.

What was the Mansabdari System? How was it organised?

Important Questions on The Mughal Empire

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