Question

Each grade in Mansabdari system had two aspects to it, Zat (personal) and Sawar (cavalryman). Which of the following statements correctly describes their significance?

• A. The Sawars a person was required to maintain depended on his Zat
• B. The zat of a person was determined by the number of Sawars he was required to maintain
• C. Zat fixed the personal status of a person and his salary, while Sawar rank indicated the number of cavalrymen he was required to maintain
• D. A Mansabdar was required to maintain as many Sawars as indicated by his Zat rank

Answer 1

The correct option is C Zat fixed the personal status of a person and his salary, while Sawar rank indicated the number of cavalrymen he was required to maintain

Akbar introduced the Mansabdari system in his administration. Under this system, every officer was assigned a rank or Mansab. These ranks were divided into two – Zat and Sawar.

• Zat means personal, and it fixed the personal status of a person.
• Sawar rank indicated the number of cavalrymen of a person who was required to maintain. Every Sawar should have two horses.