Mansabdars and Jagirdars

Mansabdars and jagirdars were important administrative positions in the Mughal Empire. These positions helped the emperor maintain control over the vast territories of the empire and ensured a steady flow of revenue. Let's take a closer look at what mansabdars and jagirdars were and how they functioned.

Mansabdars:
Mansabdars were nobles or military officers appointed by the Mughal emperor to serve in the administrative and military departments of the empire. The term 'mansabdar' itself means 'holder of a mansab' or 'rank'. The mansabdars were given a mansab, which was a rank or position in the imperial bureaucracy. Each mansabdar held a specific rank, which determined his salary, the number of soldiers he had to maintain, and his official responsibilities.

Rank and Salaries:
- The ranks of the mansabdars ranged from 10 to 10,000. The higher the rank, the more prestigious the position and the larger the salary.
- The salary of a mansabdar was known as the 'jagir', which was a grant of land or revenue. The jagir was the main source of income for the mansabdar.
- The size of the jagir was directly proportional to the rank of the mansabdar. Higher-ranking mansabdars received larger jagirs, while lower-ranking ones received smaller ones.

Responsibilities:
- The mansabdars were responsible for maintaining a specified number of soldiers, known as 'sawar', and providing them with military training and equipment.
- They also had administrative duties, such as collecting revenue from their jagirs and ensuring law and order in their assigned territories.
- Mansabdars were expected to provide military support to the emperor during campaigns and wars.

Jagirdars:
Jagirdars were holders of jagirs, which were revenue assignments or land grants given by the Mughal emperor. These grants were given to nobles and military officers in recognition of their services. The jagirdars were responsible for collecting revenue from their assigned territories and sending a portion of it to the imperial treasury.

Land Revenue System:
- The jagirdars were expected to collect a fixed amount of revenue from their jagirs.
- The revenue collected was used to pay the salaries of the mansabdars, maintain the army, and meet other administrative expenses.
- The jagirdars had the right to keep a portion of the revenue as their income, which was usually a percentage of the total revenue collected.

Relationship between Mansabdars and Jagirdars:
The mansabdars and jagirdars had a symbiotic relationship. The mansabdars received jagirs as their source of income, while the jagirdars were appointed by the mansabdars to collect revenue from their jagirs. This system helped in maintaining a hierarchical structure and ensured the smooth functioning of the empire.

In conclusion, mansabdars and jagirdars played crucial roles in the administration and revenue collection of the Mughal Empire. The mansabdars held ranks and received jagirs, which provided them with income and soldiers. On the other hand, jagirdars were responsible for collecting revenue from their assigned territories and sending a portion of it to the imperial treasury. Together, they formed an essential part of the administrative

From a small nucleus of Turkish nobles (Turanis) they expanded to include Iranians, Indian Muslims, Afghans, Rajputs, Marathas and other groups. Those who joined Mughal service were enrolled as mansabdars. The term mansabdar refers to an individual who holds a mansab, meaning a position or rank.