JAGIRDARI SYSTEM

Write a note on the Jagirdari system under

Akbar.

One of the most popular systems of revenue assignments

prevalent under the Delhi Sultanate was the Iqtadari

system and the holder of iqta was called iqtadar. The

system was developed to appropriate the surplus from the

peasantry and distribute it among the nobles. The Mughal

emperors, too, did the same. These assignments were

given in lieu of cash salaries. The areas assigned were

generally called jagir, and its holder as jagirdar. The

difference between theses two systems was that under

jagirdari system, it was not land that was assigned, but the

income from the land was given to the jagirdars. This

system developed over a period of time and underwent

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many changes before stabilising. However, the basic

framework was developed during Akbar's reign.

Akbar wanted to introduce the jagirdari system so as to

recruit the best officers in Mughal administration. He

wanted to reduce the burden of land revenue collection

process on the state. He wanted to impose law and order

in remote areas.

The term ‘jagir’ is a combination of two words – ‘ja’ meant

‘tract of land’ while ‘gir’ meant ‘assigned’. Jagir literally

means holding a land without any propriety rights over it

which differentiated the jagirdari system of Mughal

Empire from the feudal system of Europe. The foundation

of jagirdari system was laid by Akbar; although in

rudimentary form it was evolved by Sher Shah Suri.

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According to Athar Ali, jagir was a revenue assignment

but in reality it was made against mansab rank of the

mansabdars.

According to Irfan Habib, jagir was land revenue

assignment in lieu of cash salaries according to the rank of

jagirdar and his mansab.

During Akbar’s period, all the territory was broadly

divided into two –

1. Khalisa – the revenue from the khalisa went to the

imperial treasury

2. Jagir – the revenue from jagir was assigned to

jagirdars in lieu of cash salary according to their

rank.

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There were generally four types of revenue assignments:

1. Tankhwah jagirs, which were given in lieu of cash

salary. These jagirs were transferable every three or

four years

2. Mashrut Jagirs, which were given to a person on

certain conditions and resumed after fulfilment of

conditions of allotment.

3. In’am jagirs, which involved no obligation of service

and were independent of rank.

4. Watan jagirs, which were assigned to zamindars

(chieftains) in their homelands. They remained

hereditary and non-transferable. This type of jagir

was effective administrative machinery introduced

by Akbar to accommodate local zamindars in the

Mughal oligarchy.

When a zamindar or a tributary chief was made a

mansabdar, he was given jagir tankha, apart from his

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watan jagir, at another place if the salary of his rank was

more than the income held his watan jagir.

According to Abu Fazl, Akbar initiated a regular system

of transfers as ‘transplantation is always good for the life

of the plant’. Since, on an average, a jagir was transferred

after every three years. It suited the Mughal Empire

especially from 17th century onwards for the smooth

functioning of the jagirdari system. It also helped in

maintaining cohesion within the nobility. It also

confirmed the hold of the crown over the rising ambitions

of the nobility.

The jagirdar was allowed to collect only authorised

revenue (mal wajib) in accordance with the Imperial

regulations. He employed his own officials (karkun) like

amil (arnalguzar), fotadar (treasurer), etc. who acted on

his behalf.

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The Imperial officials kept watch on the jagirdars. The

diwan of the suba was supposed to prevent the

oppression on the peasants by the jagirdars. From the 20th

year of Akbar, amin was posted in each province to see

that the jagirdars were following Imperial regulations

regarding collection of revenue. The faujdar often helped

the jagirdar to collect revenue whenever difficulties arose.

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 Problems

The jagirdari system also created problems in the Mughal

Empire.

1. There was no parity between jama and hasil.

Therefore, the obligation on jagirdar was greater than

his returns.

2. Except for Bengal and Orissa, jama of Kharif and

Rabi harvests were at par. This kept the jagirdar in

loss, if they were in areas where Rabi cultivation was

taking place as the prices were less than Kharif.

3. Transfer order would come to an end of every month

creating problems between outgoing and incoming

jagirdars along with strict compliance of arrears –

baqaya by the Mughal state. Transfer orders created

problems for the jagirdars leading to rivalry and

conflicts.

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According to Irfan Habib, both the Mughal emperor and

jagirdars were responsible for excessive exploitation of

peasantry. The transfer system, according to him, meant

that jagirdars took no interest in improving methods of

cultivation, means of irrigation, and quality of crops or

improving the conditions of Mughal peasantry.

From 1575 – 1585, Akbar brought all the jagirs under

Khalisa and then re-assigned them. He introduced two

types of jagir:

1. Jagir Hasil-a-kamil, where maximum land revenue

was collected.

2. Jagir zor talab, where it was difficult to collect land

revenue due to war and other internal problems.

During Akbar’s reign, despite all the necessary changes

introduced, if still gaps remained between rank, salary

and actual collected revenue than the jagirdar had the

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right to collect debt from the imperial treasury (talab). If

the revenue was more than the state claim, than extra

revenue would go to another imperial treasury (mutalba

hasil).

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 Benefits

Jagirdari system in the Mughal Empire during Akbar’s

reign had few benefits.

1. Akbar could separate political and administrative

responsibility from right of tax collection.

2. Since only some mansabdars received jagir,

therefore, they were assigned only the right to collect

taxes assessed on that stipulated area.

3. Jagir could consist of single portion in a village,

several village or entire parganas.

4. Responsibility of assigning jagir was that of Diwan - i

– Tan (minister of salaries). He matched taxes with

specified salaries and allowances of mansabdars and

then issued official jagir document. Therefore,

jagirdar had only fiscal rights over the assigned jagir.

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 Administration

The administration of jagir was carried out on the pattern

of crown lands. The jagirdars had to employ their own

agents for collection of land revenue and the collection

process was modelled on that of the Khalisa.

An important feature of the jagirdari system was shifting

of jagir-holders from one jagir to another for

administrative reasons. This system of transfers checked

the jagirdars from developing local roots. At the same

time, its disadvantage was that it discouraged the

jagirdars from taking long term measures for the

development of their areas. They were merely interested

in extracting as much revenue as possible in a short time.

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 Conclusion

The jagirdari system as an institution was used to

appropriate the surplus from the peasantry. At the same

time, it was used for distributing the revenue resources

among the ruling classes. Of the four types of jagirs given

to assignees, the watan jagir was a very effective way of

absorbing Indian chieftains in the Mughal ruling class.

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