Question

How were the Mansabdars ranked in the Mughal services? Give brief explanation for the same.

Answer 1

Instructions:
This answer to this question can be broken down into two parts:

1. Briefly describe what comprised the Mansabdars.
2. Explain about ‘Zat’ and ‘Sawar’

Solution:
Mansabdar refers to an individual in the Mughal times who used to hold a ‘Mansab’. A ‘Mansab’ means a position or rank.

Mansabdars were graded as per ‘Zat’ and ‘Sawar.’
‘Zat’ was a numeric value which determined the rank and salary of the Mansabdar. Higher ‘Zat’ meant more prestige and more salary.
The number of ‘Sawar’ or cavalrymen was to be maintained by the Mansabdar as part of the military responsibilities. The horses were registered and branded too.