Introduction
The Mughal administration was one of the most organized and centralized systems in medieval Indian history. The Mughals, who ruled a vast empire from the early 16th to the mid-18th century, created a strong bureaucratic structure that allowed them to govern efficiently. The administration combined Persian, Islamic, and Indian traditions and was notable for its centralized authority, elaborate revenue system, and relative religious tolerance, especially under Akbar. This essay will explore the key features of Mughal administration in a simple and easy-to-understand manner.
Centralized Monarchy
The Mughal state was a centralized monarchy where the emperor had supreme authority. The emperor was considered the source of all power, both political and military. He was responsible for appointing officials, managing the army, overseeing the economy, and making key decisions about governance. The emperor lived in a well-organized court, which was also the center of administration.
Administrative Divisions
Subas (Provinces)
The empire was divided into provinces called subas. Each suba was governed by a subedar, who was in charge of maintaining law and order, collecting revenue, and ensuring the emperor’s commands were followed.
Sarkars and Parganas
Each suba was further divided into sarkars (districts), which were again divided into parganas (smaller units), and finally into villages. Each level had officials to manage administration, collect taxes, and keep law and order.
Mansabdari System
One of the most important features of Mughal administration was the mansabdari system, introduced by Akbar. Under this system, every officer or noble was given a rank (called mansab) which determined his salary and the number of soldiers he had to maintain. This system helped the emperor control the military and administration through a loyal class of officers.
Revenue System
Zabt and Ain-i-Dahsala
The revenue system was highly organized. The most famous system was called Zabt, which was based on land measurement. Akbar’s finance minister, Raja Todar Mal, introduced the Ain-i-Dahsala system, which fixed the average produce and prices of the last ten years and calculated the tax accordingly. This made the system fair and predictable for farmers.
Jagirdari System
Another important feature was the jagirdari system, where land was assigned to officials instead of salary. These officials collected revenue from the land and maintained soldiers. This system helped the empire run its military and administration without spending much cash.
Judicial Administration
The Mughal emperor was the highest judge in the empire. There were different courts at the provincial and local levels. The legal system was based on Islamic law or Sharia, but in practice, local customs were also respected, especially in Hindu areas. The emperor had the final say in major legal cases.
Religious Policy
Religious policy varied from ruler to ruler. Akbar followed a policy of tolerance and promoted the idea of Sulh-i-Kul (peace for all). He gave high positions to people of different religions and even started a new faith called Din-i-Ilahi. However, later rulers like Aurangzeb were stricter and promoted Islamic laws more strongly, which created tensions.
Military Administration
The Mughal army was organized and powerful. It included cavalry, infantry, artillery, and elephants. Officers under the mansabdari system were responsible for maintaining soldiers and horses. The emperor maintained a standing army and also relied on nobles to bring troops during wars.
Conclusion
The Mughal administration was an efficient and well-structured system that helped the Mughals rule a vast and diverse empire for many centuries. It combined strong central control with local administration and maintained a balance between military needs and civil governance. The legacy of Mughal administration can still be seen in some practices of modern Indian governance, especially in land revenue systems and bureaucratic structures.