Mansabdari System

Mansabdars were Officers in Mughal administration.

The term mansabdar refers to an individual who holds a

mansab (Rank / Position).

The Mansabdars were appointed to all civil and military

posts. Distinction Over between Civil & Military.
 Mansabdari System – Structure
Mansabdar came to be denoted by two numbers – Zat and Sawar.

1) Zat ( Sipahi ) 2) Sawar (HorseMen)

This indicated the Rank in the This represented the Cavalry Rank. It
administration as well as the salary of denotes the number of horses and
the Mansabdar. cavalrymen maintained by Sawar.
Example: A a mansabdar with 5000 Zat and 2000 Sawar.
 Salary of Mansabdars: In cash and land

The Mansabdars were paid ( Salary + Maintainence)

according to their ranks.

Those Mansabdars, who were paid in cash, were called

Naqdi.

Those Mansabdars who were paid through land (Jagirs)

were called Jagirdars.

Note - It is to be remembered that it is not land that was

assigned but only the right to collect revenue from the
piece of land.
 Not hereditary

The Mansab’s post or honour or dignity was not

hereditary and it lapsed after the death or
dismissal of the Mansabdar.

Mansabdar’s property returned to the state

after his demise.
 Highly Centralised

Good Connection with King – Good Mansab.

No mansabdar could hold on to the said Jagir for a

long term as they were liable for transfer. ( Rotation)

Mansabdars were not supposed to accumulate their

salaries and wealth. After the death of a mansabdar,
all his jagirs and wealth was confiscated. As a result,
Mansabders used to spend lavishly.

Result – Army Created.