DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SCIENCE
THE MUGHAL EMPIRE
REVIEW NOTES
Learning Objectives:
To understand the origin of the Mughal Empire.
To evaluate the achievements of the Great Mughal.
To analyze the administrative styles used by the Mughal rulers.
ANSWER IN BRIEF
1.Explain the role of Zamindars in Mughal administration.
Zamindars were powerful local chieftains appointed by the Mughal rulers. They
exercised great influence and power. They collected taxes from the peasants and gave
them to the Mughal emperor. Thus, they played the role of intermediaries. In some areas
the Zamindars became more powerful. The exploitation by Mughal administrators made
them to rebellion. They got support from the peasants in rebelling against the Mughal
authority.
2. What were the relationships between the mansabdar and the jagir?
Mansabdars were those who joined Mughal service. Jagirs were the salaries of the
mansabdars in the form of revenue assignments. It means mansabdars received jagirs
as their salaries. Hence, mansabdars depended on jagirs for their livelihood.
3. How were the debates with religious scholars important in the formation of Akbar’s
ideas on governance?
In the 1570’s at Fatehpur Sikri, Akbar started discussions on religion with people of
different faith. There were ulemas, Brahmanas, Jesuit Catholic priests and Zoroastrians.
These discussions took place in Ibadat Khana. These were about social and religious
customs. These interactions made him realize that religious scholars are bigots. They
emphasize rituals and dogma. Their teachings create divisions in society. This led to the
idea of Sulh-i-Kul or ‘Universal peace’.
4. The Mughals emphasize their Timurid and not their Mongol descent. Explain.
The Mughals were descendants of two great lineages of rulers. From their mother’s side
they were descendants of Genghis Khan, ruler of the Mongol tribes. From their father’s
side they were the successors of Timur, the ruler of Iran, Iraq and modern-day Turkey.
However, the Mughals did not like to be called Mongol because Mongol’s especially
Genghis Khan’s, memory was associated with the massacre of innumerable people. It
was also linked with the Uzbegs, their Mongol competitors. On the other hand, the
Mughals were proud of their Timurid ancestry, because it achieved good name in the
history.
5. How important was the income from land revenue to the stability of the Mughal
Empire?
The income from land revenue is very important to the stability of the Mughal Empire
as:
It was used for extension of empire, wars, etc. Income is used to pay salaries/wages to
army, bureaucrats, artisans, and workers. The administrative expenditure is dealt by
this income.
6. Why was it important for the Mughals to recruit mansabdars from diverse
backgrounds and not just Turanis and Iranis?
The Mughal Empire expanded to different regions. Hence, it was important for the
Mughals to recruit diverse bodies of people in order to make people comfortable with
them. Apart from Turanis and Iranis, now there were mansabdars from Indian Muslims,
Afghans, Rajputs, Marathas and other groups.
ANSWER IN DETAIL
1.What do you know about the Mughal relations with other rulers especially the
Rajputs?
It was the policy of the Mughal rulers to campaign constantly against rulers who were
not ready to accept their authority. However, when the Mughal became powerful, many
other rulers joined them willingly. There were several Rajputs who married their
daughters into Mughal families in order to gain a high position. But at the same time,
many resisted the Mughals. The Sisodiya Rajputs refused to accept Mughal authority for
a long time. However, when they got defeat, the Mughals did not treat them badly. They
honoured them by giving them their lands (watan) back as assignments. Thus, the
Mughals never humiliated their opponents even though they defeated them. This unique
quality of theirs enabled them to extend their influence over many kings and chieftains.
2. Aurangzeb did not follow the Mughals’ policy and insulted Shivaji when he came to
accept Mughal authority. What was the consequence of this insult?
After being insulted by Aurangzeb Shivaji escaped from Agra and declared himself an
independent king. Then, he resumed his campaigns against the Mughals. Prince Akbar
rebelled against Aurangzeb and received support from the Marathas and the Deccan
Sultanate. He finally fled to Safari Iran. Aurangzeb could not remain silent. He
personally managed campaigns in the Deccan against the Marathas who started
guerrilla warfare, which was difficult to suppress.
3. What were the main features of Sulh-i Kul? The idea of Sulh-i Kul was introduced by
Akbar, the Great. Sulh-i Kul meant universal peace. Its main features are given below:
The idea of Sul-i Kul was based on the idea of tolerance which did not discriminate
between the people of different religions in Akbar’s realm.
It focused on a system of ethics—honesty, justice, peace. These values were universally
applicable.
4. Write a short note on Akbar’s administrative policies.
Akbar’s administrative policies were mentioned in Abul Fazl’s book the Akbar Nama,
particularly in its third and last volume, the Ain-i Akbari. In the book, Abul Fazl
explained that the empire was divided into provinces known as Subas, governed by a
Subadar. The Subadar carried out both political and military functions. Each province
also had a financial officer or Diwan. For the maintenance of peace and order in his
province, the Subadarwas supported by several officers, for example-
The military paymaster also is known as Bakhshi.
The minister in charge of religious and charitable patronage or
Military commanders called Faigdars, and
The town police commander called Akbar’s nobles commanded huge armies and had
access to large amounts of revenue. Akbar wanted to govern his empire peacefully.
Hence, he gave utmost importance to the idea of tolerance because it did not
discriminate between people of different religions in his realm. He held religious
discussions with the Ulama, Brahmanas, Jesuit priests who were Roman Catholics and
Zoroastrians and concluded that the idea of sulh-i kul or ‘universal peace’ would work
effectively. This idea focused on a system of ethics, honesty, justice, and peace. These
values were universally accepted. Thus, Akbar’s administrative policies were based on
considerate ideas.
