DEPARTMENT OF UILS (LAW)

B.A LL.B 2nd SEM

SUBJECT :HISTORY-II
from: Assistant Prof.
Vishal Sood
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 Mughal Rule

• During the reign of Akbar, the jagirs were carefully assessed.

• This was done to ensure that their revenues were roughly equal to the salary of
mansabdar. But during Aurangzeb’s reign, the actual revenue was less than the
granted sum.
• The number of mansabdars increased exponentially. This meant they had to wait
for long before they received a jagir. There was shortage of number of jagirs.
• As a result, many jagirdars tried to extract maximum possible revenue from their
jagirs. Aurangzeb was unable to control these developmens and hence the
peasants suffered a lot during the last years of his reign.

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 Mughal Rule
• Principles of Akbar’s rule
• Financial Aspects: Todar Mal was Akbar’s revenue minister. He carried out a careful survey of
crop yields, prices and areas cultivated for a 10-year period i.e. from 1570 to 1580. Based on this
data, tax was fixed on each crop in cash. Each province was divided into revenue circles.
• Each circle had its own schedule of revenue rates for individual crops. This revenue system was
called zabt. It was prevalent in the areas where Mughal administrators could survey the land
and keep very careful accounts. But it was not possible in provinces; such as Gujarat and Bengal.
• The zamidars exercised great deal of power in some areas. Their exploitation by Mughal
administrators forced them to rebel against it. These revolts collectively by zamindars and
peasants challenged the stability of the empire from the end of the 17th century.

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 Mughal Rule

• A closer look at Akbar’s policies

• Abul Fazl wrote a book titled Akbar Nama. Its last volume is called the
Ain-i-Akbari. It contains elaborate discussion of the broad features of
administration laid down by Akbar. According to Abul Fazl the empire
was divided into provinces called subas-
• which were governed by a subadar who carried out both political and
military functions.
• which also had a financial officer or diwan.

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 • The subadar was supported by ‘other officers’ for the maintenance of
peace and order. The ‘other officers’ included:
• The military paymaster: bakhshi
• The minister in charge of religious and charitable patronage: sadr
• Military commanders: faujdars
• The town police commander: kotwal

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 • AKBARNama and Ain-i Akbari
• Abul Fazl was Akbar’s close friend and courtier. He was given the responsibility of writing
the history of his reign. He wrote a three-volume history of his reign titled Akbar Nama.
• Volume I: It dealt with Akbar’s ancestors.
• Volume II: It recorded the events of Akbar’s reign.
• Volume III: It is the Ain-i Akbari. It deals with Akbar’s administration, household, army, the
revenues and the geography of his empire. It also provides rich details about the traditions
and culture of the people living in India. The most interesting aspect about it is its rich
statistical details about things as diverse as crops, yields, prices, wages and revenues.

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 • Akbar's Nobles
• They commanded large armies and had access to large amounts of
revenue. Till they were loyal, the empire functioned very efficiently.
But by the end of the 17th century many nobles had built
independent networks of their own. Their self interest was
responsible for weakening their loyalties to the empire.

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 Thanks
Queries are welcome

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