The Mansabdari system was a military and civil administrative system. It was introduced by the Mughal emperor Akbar in 1571. The word "mansab" is of Arabic origin, meaning "rank" or "position". Under this system, officials were assigned ranks (mansabs). It was based on their military skills and administrative capabilities. This determined their pay and the number of troops they were expected to maintain. 

Mansab is an Arabic word meaning "rank" or "position". In the Mughal Empire, it was a system of ranking officials based on their military skills and administrative capabilities. 

Features of Mansabdari System

The Mansabdari system was introduced by the Mughals to create a centralised administrative system and a large force. They used Mansabdars and their large armies to expand the empire and effectively administer it. The main features of the mansab system were as follows:

• Mansabdars had two ranks: zat and sawar. The former indicated the officer’s position in the administrative hierarchy, while the latter determined personal pay.
• Mansabdars were classified into three classes based on the ratio of their zat and sawar ranks.
• A mansabdar may be required to perform any civil or military service.
• The mansabdars were divided into 33 categories. The lowest mansabdar commanded ten soldiers, while the highest commanded 10,000.
• Only the royal family’s princes and the most powerful Rajput rulers received a mansab of 10,000.
• A mansabdar’s salary was sometimes paid in cash as well. Mansabdar’s other source of income was the grant of jagirs.
• The soldiers’ salaries were added to the mansabdar’s salary. A jagir was sometimes given to him for paying soldiers’ salaries.
• However, officers realised the revenue and made the necessary adjustments.
• The mansabdari system did not pass down through families.
• Horses were divided into six categories, while elephants were divided into five.
• Dakhili were troops raised by the emperor but not paid directly by the state and commanded by mansabadars.

The terms Zat and Sawar were associated with the Mansabdari administrative system during the Mughal administration.

• Zat: It was the noble’s personal rank, which indicated his pay and status.
• Sawar: A rank determined how many horses a noble was required to maintain or was expected to maintain.

Structure of the Mansabdari System

• The rank or mansab of a Mansabdar consisted of two elements: personal rank (zat) and cavalry rank (sawar).
• Every Mansabdar had both zat and sawar ranks, receiving two rupees for each horse.
• For a rank of five hundred sawars, an additional allowance of a thousand rupees was given.
• Abul Fazl categorized Mansabdars into three types: equal zat and sawar ranks, half sawar rank compared to zat rank, and sawar rank less than half of zat rank.
• In exceptional circumstances like war, the number of sawars could surpass zat ranks, known as Mashrut mansab, which ended once the requirement was fulfilled.
• Mansabdars were responsible for both civil and military duties.
• Akbar established Dahbisti, where each Mansabdar was assigned twenty horses for every ten sawars to maintain a strong cavalry force, essential for Mughal military operations.

Who were Mansabdars?

Mansabdar is a Persian word meaning "holder of a mansab". In the Mughal Empire, a Mansabdar was an official who held a rank in the Mansabdari system. Mansabdars were responsible for both military and civil administration. They were granted jagirs (land grants) in lieu of their salaries.

Recruitment of Mansabdars

• The Mughals recruited Mansabdars based on recommendations from Mirbakshi, nobles, and provincial governors. 
• The emperor had the sole authority to appoint and dismiss Mansabdars. Mansabdars could be promoted or demoted based on their performance.
• Mansabdars could be recruited from any social background. They were typically drawn from the nobility, the military, and the merchant class.
• The emperor would consider a variety of factors when appointing a Mansabdar, including:

• the individual''s military skills, 
• administrative experience, and 
• loyalty to the empire.

Ranking of Mansabdars

The Mansabdars in the Mughal Empire held ranks that determined their status and responsibilities within the administration. The ranking system of Mansabdars was structured and organized. The ranks of Mansabdars were denoted by a numerical value known as "Zat," which indicated the number of cavalrymen a Mansabdar was required to maintain. The higher the Zat, the higher the rank and the greater the number of cavalrymen under their command. Mansabdars were classified into various grades, representing different levels of authority and influence. The highest-ranking Mansabdars held prestigious positions and enjoyed privileges in the Mughal court.

Roles and Responsibilities of Mansabdars

• The mansabdars were assigned to the military as well as administrative responsibilities.
• Mansabdars were required to keep a certain number of sawars or cavalrymen on hand.
• They needed to bring their cavalrymen in for inspection and registration.
• In addition to holding positions like wazir, Bakshi, faujdar, and subedar, the Mansabdars were appointed to all civil and military posts aside from the judiciary.
• The Mansabdari system became the foundation of military and civil administration during Akbar’s reign.

Compensation of Mansabdars

• Cash (naqd) or land assignments were the two ways that mansabdars were compensated (jagir).
• The revenues from their jagir were given to them and deducted from their salaries.
• As salaries, they were given a portion of the proceeds from their jagir.
• The mansabdar paid the salaries of the cavalrymen he employed.
• Those paid in cash were known as naqdi, while those paid through jagir assignments were known as jagirdars.
• It is worth noting that the majority of Mansabdars were immigrants of Central Asian, Turk, Persian, and Afghan origin, though a small number of Indians were also appointed.estbook Pass

Mansabdari System under Akbar

• The Mansabdari system was a unified state service of officers arranged in a military (cavalry) rank hierarchy but performing both civil (primarily financial) and military functions under Akbar’s reign.
• Akabr established an organisation where all superior officials would have their status defined in military terms.
• The jagirs were naturally transferable (but not hereditary), and no mansabdar was permitted to keep the same jagir for an extended period of time.
• The only deviation from the standard jagir transfer system was the watan-jagirs.
• Watan-jagirs were generally considered acceptable to zamindars who had already possessed their watans (homelands) before the Mughal Empire’s expansion.
• Watan jagirs were given to some Rajput mansabdars.
• The mansabdari system went through several stages of transformation, which can be broadly classified into five:
• The numerical rank appeared as a Mughal military fact.
• The effective strength of mansabdar fell below the nominal strength.
• For the first time in Indian history, double rank was introduced.
• The soldier’s or trooper’s rank was merely a military fact.
• The institution was reorganised by Akbar’s successors in the final phase.

The successors of Akbar delivered a significant blow to the mansabdari system in multiple ways.