Question

With reference ot Mughal administration, explain:
(i) Central and provincial administration
(ii) Mansabdari system

Answer 1

Instruction:

• It should have 5-8 points.
• Central and provincial: Give a detailed account of the divisions of administrative units along with their incharge officers and their responsibility in these units.
• Mansabdari:Mention the purpose and features of the system

Solution:
(i) Central and provincial administration: Central and provincial were the two important parts of AKbar’s administration. The empire was divided into 15 subas or provinces. They were under the control of subedar (governor) who had full civil and military powers. There was also Diwan to collect land revenue. A suba was further divided into sarkars, these sarkars were further sub divided into paraganas. Paragans wer madeup of several villages and they were under the administration of faujdars. The role of faujdar included to assist sudedar, to resist revolts and to provide illitary support ot provincial officers if needed. Muaqddam, Patwati and a Chowkidari admisnitered the villages. The administration in the provinces was similar to that of central administration.

(ii) Mansabdari system: It was introduced for supporting military administration. Each offcier or noble was assigned rank (mansab) for each. They were paid a fixed salary and had to maintain an army according to their rank. Mansab was a lifetime position but was not hereditary. There were 33 different grade of mansabdars during Akbar’s reign. They were not jagirdars but some were assigned land called jagirs.