Mughal Administration

Total Questions: 31

21. Given below are two statements, one is labelled as Assersion (A) and other as Reason (R): [U.P.P.C.S. (Pre.) 2021]

Assertion (A): The Mughal Empire was orignally a Military State.

Reason (R): The vitality of the development of the Central Government System depended on its military power.

Select the correct answer using the the codes given below.

Codes :

(a) Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is correct explanation of (A)
(b) Both (A) and (R) are true, but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A)
(c) (A) is ture, but (R) is false
(d) (A) is false, but (R) is true

Correct Answer: (a) Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is correct explanation of (A)

Solution:Although it is a matter of debate that Mughal Empire was a military state but most of historian accepts that Mansabdars were given military duties. Mughals also had large army which helped in expansion and strengthening of the empire.

22. Who among the following was appointed as a physician in the Mughal service ? [U.P.P.C.S. (Spl) (Mains) 2008]

(a) Bernier
(b) Coreri
(c) Manucci
(d) Tavernier

Correct Answer: (c) Manucci

Solution:Niccolo Manucci was appointed as a doctor in the Mughal army. He was an Italian traveller. He joined the army of Dara Shikoh as an artilleryman. He opted profession of medico after the death of Dara Shikoh in 1659.

23. Consider the following statements : [I.A.S. (Pre) 1998]

Ahadis were those troopers who :

1. offered their services singly

2. did not attach themselves to any chief

3. had the emperor as their immediate colonel

4. attached themselves to Mirzas

of these statements :

(a) 1, 3 and 4 are correct
(b) 1, 2 and 3 are correct
(c) 2 and 3 are correct
(d) 1 and 4 are correct

Correct Answer: (b) 1, 2 and 3 are correct

Solution:Ahadis part of Akbar's standing army of a few thousand, were equipped with several horses and had a reputation for being excellent archers. These gentlemen at-arms were single men having no following of mounted retainers. Akbar's ahadis were under the authority of the Emperor.

24. In the Mughal administration 'Muhtasib' was - [47ᵗʰ B.P.S.C. (Pre) 2005]

(a) Military Officer
(b) Head of Foreign Affairs
(c) an Officer-in-Charge of public morals
(d) Officer of Correspondence Department

Correct Answer: (c) an Officer-in-Charge of public morals

Solution:Muhtasib, the censor of public morals acted as police cum Judge in the observance of the canon law by the Muslims.

Responsibilities

Public morality: The muhtasib observed and disciplined public behavior, and enforced Islamic laws.
Public welfare: The muhtasib ensured the safety and health of the public, and intervened in public nuisances.
Market regulation: The muhtasib checked the quality of goods, weights and measures, and the legality of deals. They also ensured that goods met Islamic standards, such as covering unsold meat.
Dispute resolution: The muhtasib settled disputes and breaches of the law.
Tax collection: The muhtasib ensured that taxes were properly collected.

Power

The muhtasib was a powerful figure who could punish criminals, affect prices, and police public morality.
For example, the muhtasib could execute butchers who repeatedly sold bad meat.

25. In medieval India, Mansabdari system was introduced mainly for : [I.A.S. (Pre) 1996]

(a) Making recruitment to the army
(b) Facilitating revenue collection
(c) Ensuring religious harmony
(d) Effecting clean administration

Correct Answer: (d) Effecting clean administration

Solution:Akbar introduced a well-organised system in the military and civil service of the empire which came to be known as Mansabdari system. Very soon, this system became the main basis of the military and civil administration of the Mughals. The main intention to introduce Mansabdari was to provide a clean and better administration.

26. Who was responsible for the smooth functioning of the Mughal Mansabdari system ? [Jharkhand P.C.S. (Pre) 2023]

(a) Vakil
(b) Wazir
(c) Mir Bakshi
(d) Sadr

Correct Answer: (c) Mir Bakshi

Solution:Mir Bakshi was responsible for the smooth functioning of the Mughal Mansabdari system. The Mansabdari system was the administrative system introduced by Akbar in Mughal Empire. The word 'Mansab' is of Arabic origin meaning rank or position. Hence Mansabdari was a system of ranking the government officials and determined their civil & military duties, along with their remunerations. The recruitment and promotion of the Mansabdars was in the hands of the emperor who could also dismiss them at will. Mostly the recruitment of the Mansabdars was made on the recommendation of the Mir Bakshi.

27. Which one of the following is not true about the Mughal Mansabdari System ? [U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2009]

(a) There were 33 divisions.
(b) They got conditional or Mashut rank.
(c) Their 'Sawar' rank could exceed the 'Zat' rank.
(d) All civil and military officers were given mansabs.

Correct Answer: (c) Their 'Sawar' rank could exceed the 'Zat' rank.

Solution:Mansab meant rank or status. Manasabdars or officeholders were divided into 33 classes and were paid in cash according to their respective grades. There were exceptions to this rule, particularly when the mansabdar was serving in a difficult terrain amidst the rebels. In such cases, the state often increased the sawar rank without altering the zat rank. Obviously, the system was not a static one. It changed to meet the circumstances. Thus, reform was the use of conditional rank (Mashrut), which meant an "increase of sawar rank for a temporary period. So, option (c) is the correct answer.

28. Consider the following statements about Mughal Mansabdari and select the correct answer by using codes below : [U.P.U.D.A./L.D.A. (Spl) (Mains) 2010]

1.'Zat' and 'Mansab designation were granted.

2. Mansabdars were hereditarily officials.

3. There were three classes of Mansabdars.

4. Their salary was paid by Diwan Office.

Code :

(a) Four statements are true.
(b) Four statements are false.
(c) Only 1,2 & 3 are true.
(d) Only 1 & 3 are true.

Correct Answer: (d) Only 1 & 3 are true.

Solution:The main features of the Mansabdari system were -

1. The king himself appointed the mansabdars. He could enhance the mansab, lower it or remove it.

2. A mansabdar could be asked to perform any civil or military service.

3. There were 33 categories of the mansabdars. The lowest mansabdar commanded 10 soldiers and the highest had 10,000 soldiers.

4. The salary due to the soldiers was added to the personal salary of the mansabdar.

5. The mansabdari system was not hereditary

6. In addition to meeting his personal expenses, the mansabdar had to maintain out of his salary a stipulated quota of horses, elephants camels, mules and carts.

29. With reference to Mughal India, what is/are the difference/differences between Jagirdar and Zamindar ? [I.A.S. (Pre) 2019]

1. Jagirdars were holders of land assignments in lieu of judicial and police duties, whereas Zamindars were holders of revenue rights without obligation to perform any duty other than revenue collection.

2. Land assignments to Jagirdars were hereditary had revenue rights of Zamindars were not hereditary.

Select the correct answer using code given below :

(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Correct Answer: (d) Neither 1 nor 2

Solution:During Akbar's period, all the territory was broadly divided into two: Khalisa & Jagir. The revenue from the first went to imperial treasure & that from jagir was assigned to jagirdars in lieu of their salary in cash (raqd) according to their rank. Right to collect revenue was to utilize the same for their salary & to meet their military obligation. The judicial & police functions were performed locally by Zamindars. An important feature of the Jagir System was shifting of jagir-holders frame one jagir to another for administrative reasons. This system of transfers checked the jagirdars from developing local roots. Thus, jagirs were transferable & could be seized too. Zamindars, on the other hand, were hereditary. The Zamindars were present in practically every part of the Mughal Empire & held the most significant position in the agrarian structure of Mughal India. The word Zamindar is derived from two Persian words-Zamin (land) & dar (holder).

30. What was the principal source of State income in Mughal India : [U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 1995]

(a) Booty
(b) Escheat
(c) Land Revenue
(d) Tax

Correct Answer: (c) Land Revenue

Solution:The central feature of the agrarian system under the Mughals was the alienation from the peasant of his surplus produce (produce over and above the subsistence level) in the form of land revenue which was the primary source of state's income.

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