Question

With reference to the Mughal administration, which among the following options is connected to the features of Mansabdari System?
1. Zat, Sawar
2. Barkat, Fana
3. Namus, Din
4. LPeshkash, Nazr

Answer 1

Correct Answer - Option 1 : Zat, Sawar

The correct answer is ​Zat, Sawar.

• The term Mansabdar refers to an individual who holds a Mansab, meaning a position or rank. It was a grading system used by the Mughals to fix
  • rank,
  • salary and
  • military responsibilities.
• Rank and salary were determined by a numerical value called Zat.
• The higher the Zat, the more prestigious was the noble’s position in court and the larger his salary.
• The Mansabdar’s military responsibilities required him to maintain a specified number of Sawar or cavalrymen.
• Zat denotes the rank in the administration and the Salary of the Mansabdar.
• Sawar denotes the number of cavalrymen Mansabdar had to maintain. 
• Even if the Sawar rank was higher, the Mansabdar’s position in the official hierarchy would not be affected. It will be decided only by the Zat rank.
• The Mansabdar brought his cavalrymen for review, got them registered, their horses branded and then received money to pay them as salary.
• As the empire expanded to encompass different regions the Mughals recruited diverse bodies of people.
• Those who joined Mughal service were enrolled as Mansabdars.
• These include Indian Muslims, Afghans, Rajputs, Marathas and other groups.
• Mansabdars received their salaries as revenue assignments called jagirs which were somewhat like iqtas.
• But unlike Muqtis, most Mansabdars did not actually reside in or administer their jagirs.
• They only had rights to the revenue of their assignments.