Administration of Akbar

For Administrative convenience, Akbar divided his empire into fifteen Subhas means provinces. These Subhas were: Agra, Ahmedabad, Ahmednagar, Ajmer, Allahabad, Awadh, Bengal, Berar, Bihar, Delhi, Kabul, Khandar, Lahore, Malwa and Multan. Each Subha was under the charge of Subedar (which means Governor). He was assisted by a ‘Diwan’ who looked after the revenue records.

Official named ‘Bakshi’ looked after the needs of the army. The official ‘Kotwal’ was assigned the duty to maintain law and order in the main cities.

Qazi looked after justice. The provincial ministers and officers followed the nomenclature of the central administration and performed similar duties.

Provinces were divided into Sarkars, Sarkars into Parganas and Parganas into villages. Panchayats looked after the village administration and also dispensed justice. Normally state officers did not interfere in the village affairs.

Below is the hierarchy of Adminstrative divisions

Empire divided into -> Subhas -> Sarkars -> Paraganas -> Villages

Land Revenue System under Akbar

• Akbar introduced a new system of land revenue administration, known as the “Zabt” system, which aimed at assessing and collecting land revenue more efficiently and equitably.
• The Zabt system was based on the measurement of land and the assessment of revenue based on the productive capacity of the land.
• Akbar established a central department, known as the “Diwan-i-Amir-i-Kohi,” to oversee the administration of land revenue.
• The Zabt system was intended to reduce the discretion of local officials in the assessment and collection of land revenue, in order to prevent corruption and abuse of power.
• Akbar also abolished the practice of “begar” (forced labor) and reduced the tax burden on the peasantry.
• He also introduced a system of “khalsa” land, which was directly owned and managed by the state, and whose revenue was used to fund state expenses.
• Akbar’s land revenue administration was intended to create a more stable and efficient system for the collection of revenue, which was less burdensome on the peasantry.
• He also aimed to create a fair and equitable system that would promote the growth of agriculture and the development of the economy.
• Akbar’s land revenue administration was instrumental in consolidating Mughal power, by creating a stable source of revenue for the state and by promoting economic growth and development.

Akbar introduced several important administrative and legal reforms during his rule as the Mughal emperor of India from 1556 to 1605. Some of these include:

Akbar introduced several important administrative and legal reforms during his rule as the Mughal emperor of India from 1556 to 1605. Some of these include:

• A new system of land revenue administration, known as the “Zabt” system, which aimed at assessing and collecting land revenue more efficiently and equitably.
• A central department, known as the “Diwan-i-Amir-i-Kohi,” to oversee the administration of land revenue.
• A new system of administration, known as the “Padshahi,” which centralized power and eliminated the autonomy of regional governors.
• Abolition of the pilgrimage tax and the reduction of land revenue.
• A new syncretic religion, Din-i-Ilahi, which sought to unite the different religious communities within the Mughal Empire.
• A system of “khalsa” land, which was directly owned and managed by the state, and whose revenue was used to fund state expenses.
• The abolition of the practice of “begar” (forced labor)
• The abolition of the jizya tax on non-Muslims, which was a form of religious discrimination.
• The establishment of the “Ibadat Khana” a religious institution where scholars from different religions could come and discuss their beliefs in a tolerant and open environment.
• Encouraged the translation of religious texts from different languages, such as Persian and Arabic, into Hindi, to make them more accessible to the common people.

Mansabdari System

The Mansabdari system was an administrative and military system used by the Mughal Empire during the rule of Akbar. Some key points about this system are:

• The Mansabdari system was a system of appointing and ranking officials, both civil and military, in the Mughal administration.
• Officials were appointed to a specific rank or “mansab,” which determined their status, responsibilities, and privileges.
• The highest rank in the system was ” Amir,” which was held by the emperor himself.
• The system had two types of mansabdars: ‘Umarah’ (nobleman) and ‘Faujdars’ (military commanders)
• Each mansabdar was required to maintain a certain number of soldiers, known as a “quota,” which was proportional to their rank. This was known as the “du-aspah” system.
• The system also included a system of “sawar,” which was the number of horses a mansabdar was required to maintain, and “zat,” which was the personal stipend of the mansabdar.
• The system was intended to create a more efficient and centralized system of administration, in which officials were appointed and promoted based on merit and not on birth or favoritism.
• The system also helped to create a professional and well-trained military force, which was essential to the expansion and maintenance of the Mughal Empire.
• The mansabdars were also responsible for the collection of land revenue and the administration of justice in their assigned territories.
• The system played a vital role in the administration of the Mughal empire, as it provided a framework for the appointment and management of officials, and for the organization of the military.