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Module #51

The Mughal Empire

Political and Social structure
Political Structure

Central Administration
The Mughal Empire was a centralized autocracy ruled by
the Padshah (sovereign emperor). The empire had a
well-defined administrative hierarchy, ensuring efficient
governance.
Emperor (Padshah) – Supreme authority in political,
military, and judicial matters.
Wazir (Prime Minister) – Chief advisor and head of the imperial administration.
Subahs (Provinces) – The empire was divided into several provinces, each governed by a
Subahdar (provincial governor) who held political, military, and revenue powers.

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Key Provincial Officials:

Official Role & Responsibilities

Diwan Revenue collection and financial administration.

Mir Bakhshi Head of military administration; supervised Mansabdars.

Sadr as-Sudr Managed religious affairs and endowments.

Qazi Judiciary head; interpreted and implemented laws.

Local Administration

Administrative Unit Head Official(s) Functions

Sarkar (District) Faujdar (Law & order) Maintained security and enforced imperial laws.

Amalguzar (Revenue) Collected land revenue and managed finances.

Pargana (Sub-district) Shiqdar (Law enforcement) Maintained local order and security.

Kanungo (Record-keeper) Maintained revenue and land records.

Village Muqaddam (Village head) Managed village affairs and administration.

Patwari (Land record keeper) Maintained land records and tax collection.

Mansabdari System:

Introduced by Akbar, was a hierarchical bureaucratic and military

ranking framework ensuring efficient governance and a strong military.
Mansab (Rank) – Assigned to both military and civil officials,
reflecting their status, salary, and responsibilities.
Zat Rank – Determined personal status, salary, and
administrative position.
Sawar Rank – Indicated the number of cavalrymen an officer maintained for military efficiency.
Du-Aspah Si-Aspah System – Introduced by Jahangir, requiring select Mansabdars to maintain
twice the cavalrymen, increasing their military obligations.

Classification of Mansabdars
Rank Zat Range Designation
Mansabdar Up to 500 Zat Lower-ranked officials
Amir 500 to 2,500 Zat Mid-ranking officers
Amir-i-Umda Above 2,500 Zat Senior officers
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Higher Ranks 7,000-10,000 Zat Nobles and princes
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Top Officials Up to 12,000 Zat Mir Bakhshi & highest-ranking
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Lowest 12 345 667
Mansab 10 Zat Assigned to minor officials
Highest Mansab
Your city address 12,000 Zat Reserved for imperial princes & top generals

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Payment System

Jagir System – Most Mansabdars received non-hereditary

jagirs (land revenue assignments) instead of salaries,
preventing feudal power consolidation.
Cash Salary – Some Mansabdars, especially in the capital or
direct military service, were paid in cash.
Revenue Collection – Mansabdars collected revenue from their
assigned jagirs but had no ownership rights.
Periodic Transfers – Frequent transfers prevented local power consolidation and ensured central
control.

Social Structure
Ruling Elite – Mughals, Rajputs, Afghans, Indian Muslims, and
Persian nobles held top administrative and military roles.
Middle Class – Included small zamindars, merchants, artisans,
and lower-ranking mansabdars.
Peasantry & Laborers – Majority paid high taxes and lived in
poverty.
Kamin Class (Untouchables) – Landless workers in menial jobs.

Zamindars: Powers & Functions

Types – Autonomous zamindars (hereditary landowners) and

imperial zamindars (appointed by the state).
Revenue Role – Acted as intermediaries between the peasantry
and the Mughal administration, collecting land revenue and
remitting it to the state.
Police Functions – Maintained law and order in their territories, conducted criminal investigations,
and ensured justice at the local level.
Judicial Authority – Settled disputes and minor cases in their jurisdiction.

Types of Peasants

Khudkasht (Miryoti) – Self-cultivating peasants who owned and

tilled their land.
Pahi-Kasht – Non-resident cultivators or migrant peasants who
worked on land temporarily, often settled by zamindars.
Muzarian – Tenant farmers who cultivated land owned by others
and paid rent either in cash or kind

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Women’s Status

Elite Women – Figures like Nur Jahan and Jahanara Begum held
influence.
Purdah System – Restricted noblewomen’s mobility.
Legal Rights – Islamic law granted property rights, while Hindu
laws limited inheritance.
Bhakti & Sufi Movements – Encouraged gender inclusivity.

Urbanization

Major cities: Agra, Delhi, Lahore, Fatehpur Sikri, Ahmedabad.

Trade Centers – Connected via caravanserais and markets.
Hartals (Strikes) – Recorded in Ahmedabad.

New Crops Introduced

Maize, potatoes, red chilies, tobacco, pineapple via Portuguese trade.

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