Later Mughal Empire and Its Administration

Later Mughal Empire and Its Administration

Later Mughals

Bahadur Shah I (1707–1712)

• Original Name: Muazzam

• Title: Alam I

Jahandar Shah (1712–1713)

• Ascended the throne with the help of Zulfikar Khan

• Abolished Jaziya

Farrukh Siyar (1713–1719)

• Ascended the throne with the help of

  • Sayyid brothers: Abdulla Khan and Hussain Khan

Muhammad Shah (1719–1748)

• In 1738–39, Nadir Shah raided India

• Took away the Thakht-i-Taus (the Peacock Throne) and the Kohinoor diamond

Ahmed Shah (1748–1754)

• Ahmad Shah Abdali (General of Nadir Shah) marched towards Delhi

• Mughals ceded Punjab and Multan

Alamgir II (1754–1759)

• Ahmad Shah occupied Delhi

• Later, Delhi was plundered by the Marathas

Shah Alam II (1759–1806)

• Nazib Khan became very powerful in Delhi

• Shah Alam II could not enter Delhi for 12 years

Akbar II (1806–1837)

• Became a pensioner of the East India Company

Bahadur Shah II (1837–1857)

• Last Mughal Emperor

• Made its premiere during the 1857 revolt

• Deported to Rangoon (Burma, now Myanmar) in 1858

• Died in 1862

Mughal Administration

The Mughal Empire was divided into:

• Subas (provinces)

• Subas were further subdivided into:

  • Sarkar

  • Parganj

  • Gram

Other territorial units included:

• Khalisa – Royal land

• Jagirs – Autonomous Rajyas

• Inams – Gifted lands (mainly wastelands)

• There were:

  • 15 Subas during Akbar's reign

  • Increased to 20 Subas under Aurangzeb’s reign

Mansabdari System under Akbar

• Akbar introduced the Mansabdari system.

• The term Mansab indicates the rank of its holder.

• Mansabdari was both a civil and military system.

• Almost the entire nobility, bureaucracy, and military held Mansabs.

Structure of Mansab

• The Mughal Mansab had a dual nature:

  • Zat – Denoted personal rank and pay status

  • Sawar – Number of horsemen a Mansabdar had to maintain

Types of Mansabdars

• 3 categories:

  • Mansabdars

  • Amirs

  • Amir-i-Umda

• According to the payment mode, they were of 2 types:

  • Naqdi – Paid through cash

  • Jagirdar – Paid through Jagirs (land grants)

Further Developments

• Jahangir added the Duaspah-Sihaspah system:

  • One’s Sawar rank could be raised without increasing the Zat rank

• Shah Jahan introduced the Jama-Dami or Mahana Zagir system (Monthly Scale)

• These changes ultimately led to:

  • Jagirdari and agrarian crises

  • A major cause of the Mughal decline

Revenue Collection Methods

• Several revenue systems were in practice:

  • Kankut – Based on estimates

  • Rai – Based on yield per unit area

  • Zabti – Based on crop yields

• Dahsala Bandobast or Zabti:

  • A standard method of tax collection

  • Rates of crops were set after a 10-year assessment

  • Todar Mai pioneered this system

Jagirdari System

• Jagirdari: Assignment of land proportionate to a Jagirdar’s salary

• Every Mansabdar was entitled to a Jagir if not paid in cash

Land Grants for Religious/Favored Individuals

• Madad-i-Maash, Suyurghal, and Inam:

  • These were land grants given to people of religious assignment or royal favor

Final Thoughts

The Later Mughals marked a period of decline in the Mughal Empire, with weak rulers and constant foreign invasions. From Bahadur Shah I to Bahadur Shah II, the dynasty saw internal strife, external threats, and reduced authority.

Administrative systems like Subas and the Mansabdari system were once efficient but later led to crises due to corruption and mismanagement. Reforms by rulers like Akbar, Jahangir, and Shah Jahan eventually became outdated.

Revenue systems like Zabti and Jagirdari faced challenges over time. Overall, this period reflects how strong foundations can weaken if not adapted to changing times.