Q. With reference to the Mansabdari System introduced by Akbar, consider the following statements:
1.The Zat rank determined the Mansabdar’s personal pay and position in the administrative hierarchy, while the Sawar rank stipulated the actual cavalry contingent to be maintained.
2.The number of cavalry soldiers a Mansabdar was required to maintain was subject to reduction based on regional assignment, such as whether the troops were stationed in Hindustan or in distant provinces like Kabul or the Deccan.
3.The system was entirely non-hereditary, and upon the death of a Mansabdar, the principle of Escheat (or Zabti) was applied, whereby all personal assets were legally confiscated by the crown.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
Answer: D
Notes:
Explanation:
- Statement 1: Correct. Zat (personal) fixed the Mansabdar’s status and personal salary. Sawar (cavalry) fixed the military obligation and the salary meant to pay for that contingent.
- Statement 2: Correct. The standard scales were not universally applied. A Mansabdar’s Sawar rank often had a fractional requirement (e.g., 1/2 or 1/3) of the stated number if serving in difficult frontier regions like the Deccan or Kabul.
- Statement 3: Correct. The Mansab (rank) was never hereditary, ensuring the Mansabdars remained dependent on the Emperor. The practice of Escheat (State appropriation of the deceased noble’s wealth to settle any debts to the State) was established, ensuring that vast wealth could not pass down freely, limiting the establishment of independent hereditary power bases.
