π Topic 05 of 6 Β· Chapter 10 Β· Mughal Empire
Mughal Administration & Economy
Mansabdari system, Zabt revenue system, Ain-i-Akbari, Abul Fazl, trade, agriculture, urban economy.
ποΈ Mughal Central Administration
| Official | Function |
|---|---|
| Emperor (Padshah/Badshah) | Supreme authority; head of state, army, judiciary |
| Wazir (Prime Minister) | Head of civil administration; most important minister |
| Diwan | Finance minister; revenue collection |
| Mir Bakshi | Military paymaster; head of Mansabdari system |
| Sadr-us-Sudur | Religious affairs; grants to scholars and mosques |
| Qazi-ul-Quzat | Chief justice; Islamic law |
| Mir Saman | Head of royal household; imperial workshops |
πΊοΈ Provincial Administration
- Empire divided into Subas (provinces) β 15 under Akbar, 21 under Aurangzeb
- Subedar β governor of Suba; military and civil authority
- Diwan β revenue officer of Suba; reported directly to emperor
- Faujdar β military commander; law and order
- Kotwal β city police chief
- Subas divided into Sarkars (districts) β Parganas β Villages
π° Revenue System
- Zabt system (Todar Mal) β land measurement; fixed rates; cash payment
- Batai β share of produce (used where Zabt not applicable)
- Nasaq β rough assessment based on past records
- Land revenue was the main source of income β about 1/3 of produce
- Jagir system β land revenue assigned to Mansabdars instead of cash salary
π Ain-i-Akbari β Administrative Manual
- Written by Abul Fazl β third volume of Akbarnama
- Comprehensive administrative manual of Akbar’s empire
- Covers: administration, revenue, military, geography, social customs, arts
- Invaluable source for Mughal history and administration
- Contains detailed statistics β population, revenue, prices, weights and measures
π° Mughal Economy
- Agriculture: Main occupation; cotton, indigo, sugarcane, spices; irrigation improved
- Trade: India was a major exporter β textiles, spices, indigo, saltpetre
- Imports: Horses, precious metals, luxury goods
- Karkhanas (imperial workshops): Produced luxury goods for the court
- Guilds (Shrenis): Organised artisans and merchants
- India had a trade surplus β silver flowed into India from Europe and Americas
β India’s Economic Strength: During the Mughal period, India was one of the world’s largest economies β accounting for ~25% of world GDP. Indian textiles (muslin, calico, chintz) were in demand worldwide. The Mughal period saw the peak of Indian handicraft production before British deindustrialisation.
π Exam Tip:
β’ Subedar = governor of Suba (province)
β’ Diwan = revenue officer (separate from Subedar β checks and balances)
β’ Mir Bakshi = military paymaster = head of Mansabdari
β’ Ain-i-Akbari = Abul Fazl = administrative manual = invaluable source
β’ Jagir system = land revenue assignment to Mansabdars
β’ Subedar = governor of Suba (province)
β’ Diwan = revenue officer (separate from Subedar β checks and balances)
β’ Mir Bakshi = military paymaster = head of Mansabdari
β’ Ain-i-Akbari = Abul Fazl = administrative manual = invaluable source
β’ Jagir system = land revenue assignment to Mansabdars