Home > Indian History > History of India > Recruitment and Promotion of Mansabdars
Recruitment and Promotion of Mansabdars
Recruitment and promotion of mansabdars during Mughal times was an intelligent process, with emperor at its head.

Share this Article:

Mansabdar was a title used in the armed services of the Mughal empire. The term is derived from Mansab, standing for rank; mansabdar literally means a rank-holder in military. A mansabdar was engaged in the service of the state and was obligated to render service as and when asked to. Widely established by the Mughal emperor Akbar, mansabdari was a structure of military ranking that deputed every senior military commander and office-holder a numerical rank which oversaw his status and wage. Additionally, the force was also ranked on the count of armed cavalrymen, or sawars, which each had to retain for service in the royal army. Hence all mansabdars possessed a zat, or personal ranking and a sawar, or troop ranking. Each servant of the empire, be it in the civil or military departments were ranked in this system. There existed thirty-three grades of mansabdars, ranging from `commanders of 10` to `commanders of 10,000`. As can be understood, recruitment and promotion of mansabdars was a meticulous process, looking into every single detail.

In theory, recruitment of mansabdars were directly performed by the emperor and, as far as possible, candidates for enrolment were required to appear personally before him. The majestic eye was considered to be razor-sharp and penetrating enough to distinguish the merits and demerits of every man. Abu`l Fazl states, `His Majesty sees through some men at the first glance, and confers upon them high rank`. The Bakhshi was responsible for presenting all candidates: Iranis, Turanis, Rumis, Ferangis, Hindus and Kashmiris, who came for service before the emperor. However, another method of recruitment was that the leading nobles of the empire, especially governors of provinces and leaders of military expeditions, recommended persons for appointment to the emperor. Their recommendations were generally accepted and mansabs were given to the people they recommended. At times, the emperor ordered men recommended by nobles for the award of a petty mansab to be presented at a review and after that the mansab was awarded. Princes from the royal family also recommended men to the emperor for appointment and their recommendations were accepted in most cases. This was also a way in which promotion of mansabdars happened, though demanding some time.

Once a recommendation was submitted to the emperor and approved by him, an elaborate procedure was followed for preparing the appointment order. The royal approval was sent to the diwan, the bakhshi and the sahib-i-taujih (military accountant) for inspection. It was then presented to the emperor once more after it had passed through these imperial officers. After the emperor had approved the order a second time, the formal appointment order (farman) was drawn up, requiring the seals of various officers, especially the diwan and bakshi, before it was issued under the seal of the maharaja. Recruitment and promotion of the mansabdars, as might seem to read, was just not merely a ceremonious process, but called for absolute competency from the selected individual.

Every candidate for a mansab had to provide a surety (zamin) and this rule was extremely rigorously enforced. It appears that professional bankers or money-lenders of standing were accepted as sureties by the administration. Persons standing as surety were held responsible for the behaviour of the mansabdar and undertook to meet any claims of the government against the mansabdar concerned, if the latter failed to meet them. Sureties were, therefore, hard to obtain and were apparently bought. The mansabdar recruitment and promotion was gradually viewed as a tedious job, especially when gaining a surety. Thus it was regarded as a great concession to the Deccanis when Aurangzeb exempted them from this obligation.

The procedure for the grant of promotions to mansabdars was similar to the procedure for the grant of the initial mansab. The recommendation (or tajwiz) for promotion was usually made by princes, commanders or governors, under whom the mansabdar happened to be serving. It was the general custom for the emperor to award promotion in mansabs on the occasion of festivities, at the beginning of the financial year and on his birthday celebrations. However, promotions were also granted on other occasions, such as the beginning or the end of a military expedition.

Promotions to mansabdars were awarded for various reasons. Gallantry in military service and merit occupied a pride place; at the other end of the scale stood the promotions granted on acknowledgment of a handsome present or peshkash from a noble. Promotion was also generally, though not invariably, given when an officer was found to really deserve a superior post. In any case, the ranks of mansabdars being increased simultaneously with their appointments to higher posts were also witnessed in Mughal period. However, there also lie cases of appointments to higher posts without a corresponding increase in the mansab. An increase in the mansab was usually proportionate to the mansab already held, the grant of an increase larger than the original rank being quite outstanding. Normally, a promotion by an additional mansab of more than 50 per cent of the original was not granted. Thus, the author of Ma`asir-al Umara had expressed surprise at the sudden promotion by Aurangzeb of Khan-i Jahan Bahadur Zafar Jang from low ranks to a neat 5,000. All mansabs above 7000/7000 (2-3h) were reserved for princes of the imperial family. Recruitment and promotion of mansabdars thus mirrored a royal discrepancy, often noticed in Mughal times.


Share this Article:

Related Articles

More Articles in History of India


History of Uttar Pradesh
The state was the heart of Mahabharata war and the history of Uttar Pradesh is very much the history of India. The place finds its mentions in Hindu epics Ramayana and Mahabharata.
History Of Archaeology In India
History of archaeology in India contributes a lot to define the past history and the social life of India.
Mughal Architecture during Babur
Mughal Architecture during Babur is of adequate significance in Mughal history, as the emperor introduced Mughal architecture in India, during 16th century.
Princely State of Patdi
Princely State of Patdi or Patri was incorporated as a part of the Baroda Agency, which was a sub division of Western India States Agency.
Architecture during Sayyid and Lodi Dynasty
Architectures during the Sayyid and Lodi dynasty were mainly the tombs and monuments for the dead rulers. It were carefully designed and meticulously constructed.
Brahmanical Sources of Ancient History
Brahmanical Sources of ancient history are contained in the Vedas and they constitute one of the most important literary sources of information about ancient India.
Female Education In British India
The over brimming enthusiasm among zealous Hindu reformers welcomed female education in British India.
Revenue System of Mauryan Empire
Revenue system of Mauryan Empire can be divided into eight categories. The principal revenue of the state was the land revenue, taxes from traders, artisans and professional taxes were also collected.
Mughal Architecture During Jahangir
Mughal architecture during Jahangir`s period was relative dull in comparison to that of Akbar dynasty.
Princely State of Satlasna
Princely State of Satlasna was amongst the former native states of India that was appointed as one of the Indian princely states during the early 19th century.
Coins of Chola Empire
Coins of Chola Empire were issued in gold, silver and copper and carried the Chola emblem.
Social Life during the Pala Period
Religious toleration and simple living were the characteristics of social life during the Pala period.
Coins of the Chalukya Dynasty
Coins of the Chalukya Dynasty was reintroduced in the South India after a brief break of coinage less period of nearly three century. Chalukyas issued coins only in gold and they exhibit a brilliant artistic skill of the engraver.
Costumes of Indus Valley Civilisation
Costumes of Indus valley Civilization have been considered as the basis for Indian clothes. Sophisticated ornaments and make up were used during that age.
Development of Science under Gupta Empire
Development of Science under Gupta Empire was progressive and it had attained considerable perfection. Mathematics, astronomy, medicine, chemistry, physics and metallurgy were the most prominent of the sciences at that time.
Culture under Delhi Sultanate
Culture under Delhi Sultanate had enduring aspects to it. It included the society, the religious condition, literature and art and architecture of that period.
Princely State of Hapa
Princely State of Hapa was incorporated as a part of the Baroda Agency, which was under the administrative control of the Western India States Agency.
Economy Under Chola Dynasty
Economy under Chola dynasty was strong and well developed. The economic life of the people of the Chola Kingdom was well balanced with their social life.
Coins of Khilji Dynasty
Coins of Khilji Dynasty had an influential feature that was followed by the other dynasties.
Religion During Mauryan Dynasty
Religion during Mauryan dynasty became a considerable episode in Indian history with an esteemed lineage of rulers.