Akbar - Administrative Reforms

Akbar’s administrative genius lay in creating an efficient, centralized system that balanced power among various ethnic groups. His reforms covered civil, military, and fiscal administration.

Mansabdari System

The Mansabdari system was the backbone of Mughal administration. Every officer was assigned a mansab (rank), expressed in terms of zat (personal rank and salary) and sawar (number of horsemen to maintain). Mansabdars were graded from 10 to 5,000 (later up to 7,000 for princes). They were paid either in cash or through assignment of jagirs (land revenue assignments).

Land Revenue System

Under the supervision of Raja Todar Mal, Akbar introduced the Zabti system (also called Dahsala). Key features:

• Measurement of land area using standardized units (bigha).
• Classification of land into four types: polaj (annually cultivated), parauti (fallow for a year), chachar (fallow for 3-4 years), banjar (uncultivated for 5+ years).
• Assessment based on average produce of ten years and state demand fixed at one-third.
• Revenue was to be paid in cash, though provisions for kind existed.

Provincial Administration

The empire was divided into Subahs (provinces), each under a Subahdar (governor). The Subah was further divided into Sarkars and Parganas. Key officials at the provincial level included:

• Diwan (revenue)
• Bakshi (military)
• Sadr (judicial/religious)
• Qazi (judge)
• Kotwal (town police)

This structure ensured checks and balances, as all reported directly to the imperial center rather than to the Subahdar alone.

Akbar’s reforms laid the foundation for a stable empire that lasted for over a century.