Distinction between Jagirdari and Mansabdari system

Tutul or Jagirdari System was introduced in India in thirteenth century during the Sultanate period. While Mansabdari system was introduced by Akbar. Mansabdar means rank holders.

In Jagirdari basically a unit of land was called “Jagir”. Jagirdars used to collect certain amount of revenue from a particular unit of land(Jagir) instead of salaries in cash. Jagirdari used to get changed according to the performances of Jagirdars.

In Mansabdari system salaries of a mansabdar was paid in cash. They were not provided land to collect revenue to fulfill their payment. According to the capability of a Mansabdar, the rank range was decided . The position of a Mansabdars was not fixed. The rank of a mansabdar was from 10 to 10,000. High rank Mansabdars such as 5000, 6000 or above were fixed for the Royal family members.

Jagirdari : Background

• The word Jagir was a Persian word. It was introduced in India during the Sultanate period and continued up to British rule.
• Delhi Sultan adopted Jagirdari system to weaken the local bodies.
• At first, Delhi Sultan, Ghiyasuddin tried to reduce the power of Jagirdari.
• Allauddin Khilji, ruler of Khilji Dynasty, abolished the Jagirdari system.
• Firoz Shah Tughlaq, ruler of Tughlaq Dynasty, revive the Jagirdari system again.
• During the Mughal period, Jagirdari system was flourished.
• The Mughal emperor Akbar divided his territory into two parts, Khalisa and Jagir. Akbar used Jagirdari system to expand his territory.

Jagirdari : Types

Jagirdari system was divided into four categories according to the income assignment.

1) Watan Jagir : Watan Jagirs were those who enjoyed the Jagir hereditary. Certain Muslim Nobel’s got Watan Jagir.

2) Inam Jagir : They did not depend on rank and service requirement.

3) Tankhwa Jagir : Tankhwa Jagirs were got salaries in cash. This type of Jagirs were granted maximum by the Mughals. This Jagirs were transferred after every three years.

4) Mashrur Jagir : In Mashrur Jagir, Jagirs were handed over others, under some specific conditions.

Jagirdari : Features

• Under Jagirdari system, Jagirdars collected Land revenue of the particular Jagir. From the collected revenue Jagirdars were paid salaries and rest of the revenue went to the treasury of the Mughal.
• Most of the Jagirdars were not hereditary.
• There was a term ‘Jama Ojamaḍari’ that means an estimated revenue from the particular Jagir. It was calculated in Dam.
• Jagirdar appointed workers in the administration to collect revenue. Such as Diwan, Amil ete. Jagirdars were frequently changed to stop Corruption.

Mansabdar : Types

In Mansabdari system, there were dual rank Zat & Sawar. Depending on Zat and Sawar, Mansabdari System divided into three categories.

1) First rank Mansabdar, who had same number of Zat and Sawar.

2) Second rank Mansabdar, who had half or more than half numbers of Sawar than Zat. 3) Third rank Mansabdar had less than half number of Sawar than Zat.

• Jahangir further added Duaspa menans two horse for one soldier and Sihaspa means one horse for one soldier. All mansabdars were paid in cash by the King.
• Appointment, promotion and dismiss of Mansabdars were fully executed by the King.

Mansabdar : Features

• Every Mansabdar had to maintain certain number of soldiers. They got salaries in cash. From this cash, they had to maintain the soldiers.
• During the war, Mansabdars were bound to help the king by sending soldiers.
• Mansabdars had to maintain all public services except Judiciary.
• To avoid fraud, Akbar introduced Dagh that means branding of horses and Chahra that means ‘descriptive roll of soldier under the Mansabdari System.

Character	Jagirdar	Mansabdar
Meaning	Jagirdars used to collect certain amount of revenue from a particular unit of land(Jagir) instead of salaries in cash.	Mansabdar means rank holders. Salaries of a mansabdar was paid in cash.
Salary	They got land instead of salaries in cash.	They got salaries in cash instead of land.
Feature	Under Jagirdari system, Jagirdars collected Land revenue of the particular Jagir. From the collected revenue Jagirdars were paid salaries and rest of the revenue went to the treasury of the Mughal.	Every Mansabdar had to maintain certain number of soldiers. They got salaries in cash. From this cash, they had to maintain the soldiers.

FAQs on Jaigirdari and Mansabdari system :

1. What is the literary meaning of Jagirdar ?

Ans : One who collect land revenue from an unit of land Jagir is called Jagirdar.

2. What is the literary meaning of Mansabdar ?

Ans : Mansabdar means Rank Holder.

3. Who introduced Mansabdari system?

Ans : The Mughal Emperor Akbar introduced Mansabdari system.

4. What is the features of Jagirdari system ?

Ans : Under Jagirdari system, Jagirdars collected Land revenue of the particular Jagir. From the collected revenue Jagirdars were paid salaries and rest of the revenue went to the treaury of the Mughal. Most of the Jagirdars were not hereditary.

5. What is the features of Mansabdari system ?

Ans : Every Mansabdar had to maintain certain number of soldiers. During the war, Mansabdars were bound to help the king by sending soldiers. Mansabdars had to maintain all public services except Judiciary. Mansabdars were paid in cash.