The Mansabdari-Jagirdari Nexus and the Mughal Crisis
Q: Examine the relation between Mansabdari and Jagirdari. How far it was responsible for the decline of the Mughal Empire?
The Mansabdari and Jagirdari systems were the dual pillars of the Mughal Administrative Structure. While the former determined a noble’s Rank and Salary (Zat and Sawar), the latter was the mechanism for Salary Payment through land revenue assignments.
1. The Interrelation
- Structural Link: Every Mansabdar was paid either in cash (Naqd) or through a Jagir. This linked the Military Aristocracy directly to the Land Revenue system.
- Transferability: To prevent local roots, Jagirs were frequently transferred. This ensured Imperial Centralization but discouraged long-term Agricultural Improvement.
2. Role in the Decline: The Jagirdari Crisis
Historian Satish Chandra famously proposed the "Jagirdari Crisis" as a primary cause of decline.
- Be-jagiri: Under Aurangzeb, the number of Mansabdars increased rapidly, leading to a shortage of good-quality land (Paibaqi). This state of "landlessness" is known as Be-jagiri.
- Agrarian Exploitation: As transfers became frequent, Jagirdars extracted maximum revenue from Peasants without investing in the land. Historian Irfan Habib argues this led to widespread Agrarian Revolts.
- Factionalism: Competition for fertile Jagirs led to Nobiliary Factionalism, weakening the Imperial Authority.
Definition of Key Term
Paibaqi: Land earmarked for Future Assignments as Jagirs but currently managed by the State. Example: During a crisis, if the Paibaqi stock was low, a newly appointed Mansabdar would have to wait years for a salary assignment.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Mansabdari-Jagirdari nexus was efficient during expansion but turned Parasitic during stagnation. The imbalance between Revenue Resources and administrative demands created a Fiscal Breakdown. It is vital to note that this structural failure was more significant than the individual weaknesses of later Mughals in the eventual Empire Collapse.
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