Write a note on the Jagirdari system under

Akbar.

One of the most popular systems of revenue assignments

prevalent under the Delhi Sultanate was the Iqtadari

system and the holder of iqta was called iqtadar. The

system was developed to appropriate the surplus from the

peasantry and distribute it among the nobles. The Mughal

emperors, too, did the same. These assignments were

given in lieu of cash salaries. The areas assigned were

generally called jagir, and its holder as jagirdar. The

difference between theses two systems was that under

jagirdari system, it was not land that was assigned, but the

income from the land was given to the jagirdars. This

system developed over a period of time and underwent

PagelofU
many changes before stabilising. However, the basic

framework was developed during Akbar's reign.

Akbar wanted to introduce the jagirdari system so as to

recruit the best officers in Mughal administration. He

wanted to reduce the burden of land revenue collection

process on the state. He wanted to impose law and order

in remote areas.

The term 'jagir' is a combination of two words - 'ja' meant

'tract of land' while 'gir' meant 'assigned'. Jagir literally

means holding a land without any propriety rights over it

which differentiated the jagirdari system of Mughal

Empire from the feudal system of Europe. The foundation

of jagirdari system was laid by Akbar; although in

rudimentary form it was evolved by Sher Shah Suri.

Page 2 of 12
According to Athar Ali, jagir was a revenue assignment

but in reality it was made against mansab rank of the

mansabdars.

According to Irfan Habib, jagir was land revenue

assignment in lieu of cash salaries according to the rank of

jagirdar and his mansab.

During Akbar's period, all the territory was broadly

divided into two -

1. Khalisa - the revenue from the khalisa went to the

imperial treasury

2. Jagir - the revenue from jagir was assigned to

jagirdars in lieu of cash salary according to their

rank.

Page3 of12
There were generally four types of revenue assignments:

1. Tankhwah jagirs, which were given in lieu of cash

salary. These jagirs were transferable every three or

four years

2. Mashrut Jagirs, which were given to a person on

certain conditions and resumed after fulfilment of

conditions of allotment.

3. In'am jagirs, which involved no obligation of service

and were independent of rank.

4. Watan jagirs, which were assigned to zamindars

(chieftains) in their homelands. They remained

hereditary and non-transferable. This type of jagir

was effective administrative machinery introduced

by Akbar to accomrnoda te local zamindars in the
Mughal oligarchy.

Page 4 of 12
When a zarnindar or a tributary chief was made a
mansabdar, he was given jagir tankha, apart from his

watan jagir, at another place if the salary of his rank was

more than the income held his watan jagir.

According to Abu Fazl, Akbar initiated a regular system of

transfers as 'transplantation is always good for the life of

the plant'. Since, on an average, a jagir was transferred

after every three years. It suited the Mughal Empire

especially from 17h century onwards for the smooth

functioning of the jagirdari system. It also helped in

maintaining cohesion within the nobility. It also confirmed

the hold of the crown over the rising ambitions of the

nobility.

The jagirdar was allowed to collect only authorised

revenue (mal wajib) in accordance with the Imperial

regulations. He employed his own officials (karkun) like

Page 5 of 12
amil (arnalguzar), fotadar (treasurer), etc. who acted on
his behalf.

The Imperial officials kept watch on the jagirdars. The

diwan of the suba was supposed to prevent the oppression
on the peasants by the jagirdars. From the 2cJh year of

Akbar, amin was posted in each province to see that the

jagirdars were following Imperial regulations regarding
collection of revenue. The faujdar often helped the jagirdar

to collect revenue whenever difficulties arose.

Page 6 of 12
 Problems

The jagirdari system also created problems in the Mughal

Empire.

1. There was no parity between jama and hasil.

Therefore, the obligation on jagirdar was greater than
his returns.

2. Except for Bengal and Orissa, jama of Kharif and

Rabi harvests were at par. This kept the jagirdar in
loss, if they were in areas where Rabi cultivation was
taking place as the prices were less than Kharif.

3. Transfer order would come to an end of every month

creating problems between outgoing and incoming
jagirdars along with strict compliance of arrears -
baqaya by the Mughal state. Transfer orders created
problems for the jagirdars leading to rivalry and
conflicts.

Page7of12
According to Irfan Habib, both the Mughal emperor and

jagirdars were responsible for excessive exploitation of

peasantry. The transfer system, according to him, meant

that jagirdars took no interest in improving methods of

cultivation, means of irrigation, and quality of crops or

improving the conditions of Mughal peasantry.

From 1575 - 1585, Akbar brought all the jagirs under

Khalisa and then re-assigned them. He introduced two

types of jagir:

1. Jagir Hasil-a-kamil, where maximum land revenue

was collected.

2. Jagir zor talab, where it was difficult to collect land

revenue due to war and other internal problems.

During Akbar's reign, despite all the necessary changes

introduced, if still gaps remained between rank, salary

and actual collected revenue than the jagirdar had the

Page 8 of 12
right to collect debt from the imperial treasury (talab ). If
the revenue was more than the state claim, than extra

revenue would go to another imperial treasury (mutalba

hasil).

Page 9 of 12
 Benefits

Jagirdari system in the Mughal Empire during Akbar's

reign had few benefits.

1. Akbar could separate political and administrative

responsibility from right of tax collection.

2. Since only some mansabdars received jagir, therefore,

they were assigned only the right to collect taxes

assessed on that stipulated area.

3. Jagir could consist of single portion in a village,

several village or entire par ganas.

4. Responsibility of assigning jagir was that of Diwan - i

- Tan (minister of salaries). He matched taxes with

specified salaries and allowances of mansabdars and

then issued official jagir document. Therefore,

jagirdar had only fiscal rights over the assigned jagir.

Page 10 of 12
 Administration

The administration of jagir was carried out on the pattern

of crown lands. The jagirdars had to employ their own
agents for collection of land revenue and the collection
process was modelled on that of the Khalisa.

An important feature of the jagirdari system was shifting

of jagir-holders from one jagir to another for
administrative reasons . This system of transfers checked
the jagirdars from developing local roots . At the same
time, its disadvantage was that it discouraged the
jagirdars from taking long term measures for the
development of their areas. They were merely interested
in extracting as much revenue as possible in a short time.

Page 11 of 12
 Conclusion

The jagirdari system as an institution was used to

appropriate the surplus from the peasantry. At the same
time, it was used for distributing the revenue resources
among the ruling classes. Of the four types of jagirs given
to assignees, the watan jagir was a very effective way of
absorbing Indian chieftains in the Mughal ruling class.

Page 12 of 12