The Ruling Classes

The Mughal ruling class was multi-racial, multi-religious and multi-regional. The Mughal ruling class or the nobility as it is commonly designated, comprised both civil bureaucrats as well as military commanders. They all held mansab and received the salary either in cash or through assignment of the revenue of various territories (jagir). Therefore, the numerical strength of the mansabdars (nobles) materially influenced not only politics and administration, but also the economy of the empire.

Background

• The nobility, together with the landed gentry, the zamindars, formed the ruling class in medieval India.
• The Mughal nobility was a privileged social and economic class. The Mughal nobility’s doors were theoretically open to all.
• Members of aristocratic families, whether Indians or foreigners, had a distinct advantage.
• The majority of Mughal nobles were drawn from Turan and its surrounding areas, including Tajikistan, Khurasan, Iran, and others.
• Despite the fact that Babur was a Turk, the Mughal rulers never pursued a narrow racist policy.
• Babur attempted to persuade the leading Afghan nobles to join him, but they proved restless and untrustworthy, and they soon defected.
• Even under Akbar, the conflict between the Mughals and the Afghans raged on in Bihar and Bengal.
• However, beginning with Jahangir, more Afghans began to be recruited into the nobility. Indian Muslims known as Shaikhzadas or Hindustani were also served.

Organization of the Ruling Class

• The Mughal ruling class was organised within the framework of the mansab system, one of two major institutions (the other being the Jagir system) that sustained the Mughal Empire for about 200 years.
• The mansab system was based on the principle of direct command, which meant that all mansabdars, regardless of rank, were directly subordinate to the Mughal Emperor.
• Mansab served three functions under the Mughals:
  • It determined the official hierarchy of its holder (the mansabdar).
  • It set the mansabdar’s pay accordingly.
  • It also required him to maintain a certain number of contingents with horses and equipment.
• Each officer was given a dual rank (a pair of numbers), zat and sawar.
  • Zat was a personal rank that determined the mansabdar’s position in the official hierarchy as well as his personal pay.
  • The sawar rank was a military rank that determined the number of contingents that the mansabdar was required to maintain as well as the payment for that maintenance.

The Ruling Class: Nobles

Features

• In medieval India, the nobles and zamindars were the ruling class. The Mughal nobility was the most privileged social and economic class.
• In theory, the doors of the Mughal nobility were open to all, but in practise, those who were related to aristocratic families (regardless of their background – Indians or foreigners) were given preference.
• Majority of Mughal nobles were invited from the Mughals’ homeland, i.e., Turan, as well as from neighbouring countries such as Tajikistan, Khorasan, Iran, and others.
• Indian Muslims known as Shaikhzadas or Hindustanis were also employed in the Mughal court.
• Akbar started a new trend when he began to regularly recruit Hindus into the noble category.
• Under Akbar, the proportion of Hindus in the nobility was approximately 16% in 1594.

Inclusion of Hindus into Nobility

• Hindus began to be inducted into the nobility on a regular basis beginning with Akbar’s reign. The Rajputs made up the majority of them. Initially, the Kachhwahas dominated the Rajputs.
• Raja Man Singh and Raja Birbal were personal friends and boon companions of Akbar, while Raja Todar Mal held a position of great influence and honour in revenue administration.
• Rajputs who joined the nobility were either hereditary rajas or members of aristocratic families related to or allied with the raja. As a result, their incorporation into the nobility bolstered its aristocratic character.
• Despite this, the nobility did provide a path to advancement and distinction for people from lower social classes.
• As a result, many kayasthas and khatris worked in the central and provincial governments at various levels.
• A few of them were elevated to the rank of nobleman. Mansabdars include people from humble backgrounds.
• Under Jahangir and Shah Jahan, the nobility experienced significant stability. Both of these monarchs paid close attention to nobility organisation (the mansabdari system).
• The rules and regulations for orderly promotions, discipline, and the recruitment of competent people into the imperial service were devised.