Which of the following statements about the Mughal mansabdari system is/are correct?
Statement I. A mansab indicated both the rank (zat) and salary of a noble.
Statement II. Every mansabdar was required to reside personally in the jagir whose revenue he drew.
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: A
Explanation
Correct Answer
Only I
Explanation
In the Mughal mansabdari system, a mansab denoted the rank, status, and salary of a noble or officer. The zat rank indicated the personal status of the officer, while the sawar rank specified the number of cavalrymen he was required to maintain. Mansabdars were often assigned jagirs in lieu of salary, but they were not required to reside personally in those jagirs. Therefore, Statement I is correct, while Statement II is incorrect.
Key Points
• The mansabdari system was developed during the reign of Akbar.
• A mansab indicated the rank and salary of an official.
• Zat denoted personal rank, while sawar denoted the number of cavalrymen maintained.
• A mansabdar was not required to reside in his jagir.
Additional Facts
• The mansabdari system formed the backbone of Mughal administration and military organization.
• Mansabdars were frequently transferred from one jagir to another.
• A jagir granted the right to collect revenue, not ownership of the land.
Important Questions
Question: Which Mughal ruler developed the mansabdari system?
Answer: Akbar.
Question: What did the term sawar signify in the mansabdari system?
Answer: The number of cavalrymen a mansabdar was required to maintain.