**Structure of Answer on Land Revenue – Jagirdari and Mansabdari (600 words)**
### **Introduction** (80-100 words)
- Define land revenue as a form of taxation on land in agrarian societies.
- Mention its significance in the administrative and economic structure of Mughal India.
- Introduce the Jagirdari and Mansabdari systems as key components in the Mughal land
revenue system.
### **1. The Jagirdari System** (200-250 words)
- **Definition and Concept**:
The Jagirdari system involved the grant of land (jagir) to military officers, nobles, and other
officials, in lieu of a salary or pension. The recipient (jagirdar) was entitled to collect
revenue from the land for a fixed period but had no ownership rights.
- **Key Features**:
- Jagirdars were responsible for maintaining law and order, administering justice, and
ensuring the efficient collection of revenue.
- The system was designed to decentralize the administration, relying on local officials to
manage resources and maintain stability.
- The revenue was paid by the peasants, and the Jagirdars had to remit a portion to the
imperial treasury.
- **Impact and Challenges**:
- The Jagirdari system facilitated the Mughal empire’s vast expansion by providing
administrative control at a local level.
- Problems like corruption, absenteeism of Jagirdars, and the fluctuation of revenue
collection often led to exploitation of peasants and inefficiency in administration.
### **2. The Mansabdari System** (200-250 words)
- **Definition and Concept**:
The Mansabdari system was a ranking and military-cum-civil administrative system
introduced by Akbar. Mansabs (ranks) were assigned to officials, including military officers,
to determine their position, salary, and obligations within the empire.
- **Key Features**:
- Mansabdars were both civil and military officials with a fixed salary (in the form of land
grants, cash payments, or both).
- The ranks ranged from 10 to 5000, with higher ranks having greater authority and
responsibility.
- The Mansabdars were responsible for recruiting soldiers, maintaining a specified number
of soldiers, and contributing to the military strength of the empire.
- The Mansabdari system was hierarchical, with imperial officers at the top, overseeing
large swaths of the empire’s land and revenue.
- **Revenue and Administration**:
- Unlike Jagirdars, Mansabdars did not directly manage land; instead, they received
financial compensation from the state, and their revenue was used to maintain their
troops.
- They had a specific quota for military service, which was closely linked to the number of
troops they could maintain. Revenue collection was handled separately, with jagirdars or
zamindars assisting in this regard.
- **Impact and Challenges**:
- The Mansabdari system brought order to the administration, but its complexity and
hierarchical nature created tensions. The system also made it difficult to manage land
revenue effectively and led to a disconnect between landholders and revenue collectors.
### **Comparison between Jagirdari and Mansabdari Systems** (80-100 words)
- **Similarities**:
Both systems were linked to land revenue collection and were designed to ensure the
functioning of the Mughal administration.
- **Differences**:
- Jagirdari system was based on direct land management, while Mansabdari was based on
military and administrative ranks.
- Mansabdars did not directly manage land but were entitled to revenue through
assignments, whereas Jagirdars directly administered land.
### **Conclusion** (60-80 words)
- Summarize the key points discussed.
- Highlight the significance of both systems in maintaining the Mughal empire’s vast
territorial and administrative control.
- Conclude by emphasizing how the inefficiencies and challenges of both systems
eventually contributed to the decline of the Mughal empire.
### **Bibliography**
1. **Rizvi, S.A.A.** (1975). *The Mansabdari System of the Mughal Empire.*
2. **Alam, M., & Subrahmanyam, S.** (2000). *The Mughal State, 1526-1750.*
3. **Chandra, S.** (2005). *The Mughal Empire.*
4. **Richards, J. F.** (1993). *The Mughal Empire.*
5. **Irfan Habib** (1999). *The Agrarian System of Mughal India.*
6. **Qureshi, I.H.** (1966). *The Administration of the Mughal Empire.*
This structure will ensure clarity in addressing the topic comprehensively and provides
relevant sources for further reading.
