Introduction

• The Mughal army was based on the Mansabdari system.
• The signs of the Mansabdari system were visible during the Sultanate period, but Akbar gave it a scientific structure.
• Mansab means rank and honor, and the post of Mansabdar can be described as a government officer paid salary or jagir according to their Mansab by the imperial treasury.
• Mansabdari was the measure of status under the Mughal government, determining a Mansabdar’s rank, salary, and office in the Royal court.
• Initially, Mansabs ranged from 10 to 10,000, later enhanced up to 50,000.
• Mansabs above 5000 were generally reserved for the princes.
• During the reign of Jahangir and Shah Jahan, Mansabs of 7,000 and 8,000 were awarded to the nobles.
• Members of the royal family were awarded Mansabs up to 40,000 and 50,000.

Classification of Mansabdars

• There were three categories of Mansabdars:
  1. Mansabdars of 400 rank.
  2. Mansabdars of 500 to 2,500 rank, known as Umra.
  3. Mansabdars of more than 3,500, known as Umra-l-Azam.
• Khan-l-Jahan was a high military officer, but Khan-l-Khanna was the highest army officer during the Mughal period.
• Later, these Mansabs were further divided into several categories.
• Mansabs above 15,000 were called Sawar.
• Mansabdars below the rank of five thousand were divided into first, second, and third categories.
• The use of the words ‘Zat’ and ‘Sawar’ became necessary to understand these categories.
• Historians have differing views on Zat and Sawar:
  • According to Blackmann, Zat indicated the categories of the Mansabdar, while Sawar indicated the rank.
  • Irwin opines that Zat indicated the cavalry to be maintained, while Sawar was an additional honor.
  • Dr. Srivastava expresses that Zat indicated the number of soldiers, while Sawar indicated the horsemen to be maintained by the Mansabdars.