The Mughal Empire in the Seventeenth Century and After:

Introduction: By the seventeenth century, the Mughal Empire had reached its zenith, encompassing nearly all of the Indian subcontinent. The empire had established structures of administration and governance that facilitated its expansive rule and left a lasting impact on the political landscape of the region.

Economic and Commercial Prosperity: The Mughal Empire was characterized by great economic and commercial prosperity, drawing admiration from international travelers who viewed it as a fabled land of wealth. However, this prosperity coexisted with stark inequalities, where extreme opulence contrasted sharply with widespread poverty.

Administrative Efficiency: Mughal rulers maintained administrative and military efficiency, ensuring the smooth functioning of the empire. They imposed taxes on agricultural produce, which constituted the primary source of income for the state. Revenue collection was meticulously organized, especially in areas where land surveys were feasible.

Distribution of Wealth: While the Mughal elite, including the emperor and his nobles, commanded enormous wealth, the vast majority of peasants and artisans lived in poverty. The revenue collected largely went to salaries and goods for the ruling elite, leaving little for investment in productive resources for the primary producers.

Decline and Fragmentation: The decline of Mughal authority in the late seventeenth century led to the emergence of powerful regional centers of power. Former Mughal servants, such as governors and military commanders, consolidated independent political identities in various provinces. By the eighteenth century, the provinces of the empire had largely consolidated their autonomy, though they still recognized the Mughal emperor in Delhi as their nominal overlord.

Legacy: Despite its decline, the Mughal Empire’s legacy endured through its administrative structures and cultural influence. The empire’s impact on the regions it once ruled continued to shape the socio-political landscape of the Indian subcontinent for centuries to come.

Zabt and Zamindars:

Introduction: The Mughal Empire relied heavily on the taxation of agricultural produce as its primary source of revenue. The revenue collection system, known as “zabt,” was implemented under the supervision of revenue ministers like Todar Mal, ensuring meticulous assessment and collection of taxes.

Role of Zamindars: Zamindars, or intermediaries, played a crucial role in revenue collection. They were local landowners or chieftains responsible for collecting taxes from the peasants on behalf of the Mughal administration. The term “zamindar” encompassed both local headmen of villages and powerful chieftains.

Zabt System: The zabt system involved a detailed survey of crop yields, prices, and cultivated areas over a period of time. Each revenue circle had its own schedule of revenue rates for individual crops. This system was prevalent in areas where Mughal administrators could conduct land surveys and maintain accurate accounts.

Regional Variations: While the zabt system was effective in some regions, such as parts of northern India, it faced challenges in provinces like Gujarat and Bengal, where conducting comprehensive land surveys was difficult. In these regions, revenue collection relied more on the authority of local zamindars.

Mansabdars and Jagirdars:

Introduction: To maintain control over their vast empire, the Mughals recruited individuals from diverse backgrounds into their administrative and military ranks. The nobles, known as “mansabdars,” were appointed to various ranks, each denoted by a numerical value called “zat.”

Role of Mansabdars: Mansabdars held positions or ranks in the Mughal court, with their status and salary determined by their zat ranking. The higher the zat, the more prestigious the noble’s position and the larger their salary. Mansabdars were responsible for maintaining a specified number of cavalrymen, known as “sawars,” and for ensuring their proper payment.

Jagirdars and Revenue Assignments: Mansabdars received their salaries in the form of revenue assignments called “jagirs.” These assignments granted them the rights to the revenue collected from specific territories. However, many jagirdars did not directly administer the territories assigned to them; instead, they often served in other parts of the country while revenue collection was managed by their servants.

Challenges and Changes: During Aurangzeb’s reign, the number of mansabdars increased significantly, leading to a shortage of revenue assignments. As a result, many jagirdars attempted to maximize revenue collection during their tenures, often at the expense of the peasantry. This situation contributed to administrative challenges and agrarian unrest in the late Mughal period.