Differences between Mansabdar and Jagirdaar

Introduction
The Mughal Empire, which ruled over India from the 16th to 18th centuries, had a complex administrative system. Two important positions within this system were Mansabdar and Jagirdaar. While both these positions were related to the administration of the empire, there were several key differences between them.

Definition
- A Mansabdar was a military official who held a rank or "mansab" in the Mughal army. Mansabdars were responsible for maintaining and commanding a certain number of soldiers, known as "Sawar", and were given a "jagir" or land grants as their salary.
- A Jagirdaar, on the other hand, was a revenue official who held a "jagir" or land grant from the emperor. Jagirdaars were responsible for collecting revenue from their assigned area and sending it to the imperial treasury.

Rank and Salary
- Mansabdars were ranked based on the number of soldiers they commanded, which determined their salary and status. The ranks ranged from 10 to 10,000 and were denoted by the term "zat" (personal rank) and "sawar" (number of soldiers commanded). A higher rank meant a higher salary and prestige.
- Jagirdaars were not ranked based on military prowess but were assigned land grants based on their loyalty and service to the empire. Their salary came from the revenue collected from the assigned jagir, which was usually a percentage of the total revenue.

Responsibilities
- Mansabdars had both military and administrative responsibilities. They were expected to maintain and deploy their soldiers as required by the emperor. In addition, they had to maintain law and order in their assigned areas and report any potential threats or rebellions.
- Jagirdaars were primarily responsible for revenue collection. They had to ensure that the assigned area generated sufficient revenue and that it was promptly sent to the imperial treasury. They were also responsible for resolving disputes related to land and revenue within their jurisdiction.

Transferability and Hereditary
- Mansabdars had a flexible position and could be transferred to different regions or posts based on the emperor's orders. Their rank and jagir were not hereditary, and a Mansabdar could be promoted or demoted based on their performance.
- Jagirdaars could also be transferred, but their position was often hereditary. The jagir could be passed down from one generation to another within a family, as long as the emperor approved the succession.

Conclusion
While both Mansabdars and Jagirdaars were important officials in the Mughal Empire, their roles and responsibilities differed significantly. Mansabdars were military officials ranked based on the number of soldiers they commanded, while Jagirdaars were revenue officials responsible for collecting revenue from their assigned area. Mansabdars had a flexible position and were not hereditary, whereas Jagirdaars often had hereditary positions. Understanding these differences helps us comprehend the complex administrative system of the Mughal Empire.