STRUCTURE:

INTRODUCTION – Few lines about Mughal administration

BODY – explain the relationship between the 2 office and how they reflect an effective administrative system of Mughal. Its merits and achievements CONCLUDE - Conclude by writing about how this system continues in contemporary times

The Mughal administrative system was highly sophisticated and featured an intricate balance between military and civil governance. Two key elements of this system were the Mansabdari and Jagirdari systems. Mansabdars were officials ranked by the Mughal Empire, holding administrative and military positions, while jagirs were the revenue assignments given to these officers. This system created an efficient administrative structure that allowed the Mughal Empire to expand and govern effectively.

Relationship between Mansabdars and Jagirs

• Mansabdars were paid either in cash or through jagirs, where they collected revenue from assigned lands.
• Jagirs were assigned for a short period and often changed hands to prevent mansabdars from developing regional power bases. Also, Jagirs were not hereditary. This ensured the loyalty of the mansabdars to the central Mughal authority, as they had no local political ties.
• By linking the mansab to the jagir, the system ensured that the mansabdars were directly invested in the efficient administration and revenue collection of their assigned lands. This dual structure helped maintain administrative control over vast territories while managing the revenue needed to sustain the empire's military strength.
• Mansabdars were required to maintain a specified number of cavalry soldiers (Sawar) based on their rank, funded by the revenue from their jagir. This allowed the empire to have a ready military force at its disposal, contributing to the expansion and security of the Mughal territory.
• The Mansabdari system integrated nobles from diverse backgrounds—Rajputs, Afghans, and other regional rulers—into the Mughal administrative and military apparatus. By assigning jagirs to these mansabdars, the Mughals ensured their loyalty while also maintaining control over potentially rebellious factions.

The Mansabdari-Jagirdari system reflects a well-thought-out mechanism for administrative control and military readiness during the Mughal era. It ensured the centralization of power while distributing responsibilities across a diverse group of officials. Although the system eventually declined, its influence is still visible in contemporary administrative structures like land revenue systems and non-hereditary appointments in the Indian bureaucracy.