The great Akbar – a case study-converted

THE GREAT AKBAR – A
CASE STUDY

By Group – 4 Parth Manchanda

REVENUE
ADMINISTRATION

A proper land revenue system was founded by Akbar. However,
the system of Akbar was itself based on what Sher shah Suri

implemented during his short tenure. Thus, the land revenue
system of Akbar was neither an innovation nor an invention. His
indebtedness to the earlier rulers is immense but this has not
diminished his fame as far as land revenue system is concerned.
He followed the policy of Sher shah with greater precision and
correctness and then extended it to various subah or provinces

of his empire. But this correction or precision did not came
overnight. Initially was tortuous enough to turn peasants into
beggars, and forcing them to sell their wives and children. But it

was revised several times.

REVENUE ADMINISTRATION

Raja Todar Mal, as finance minister of Akbar, brought new system of revenue
collection known as zabti system and dahshala system which was a system of taxation.
Under the system he took a careful survey of crop yields and prices cultivated for a
period of 10 years. The Dahsala system as instituted by by Akbar, the average
produce of different crops as well as the average prices prevailing over the last ten
years was calculated and one-third share of the average produce was apportioned
to the state. In fact, historians believe in Mughal period, it was the most significant
method of assessment. The origin of this practice is traced in Sher Shah’s reign.
During Akbar's reign, the system was revised a number of times before it took the
final shape. The system was adopted only in the major provinces of the Empire
covering Multan, Delhi, Allahabad, Awadh, Agra, and Lahore.
❖

ARMY ADMINISTRATION

Akbar paid much attention towards the organization, equipment and discipline of
the army. For efficient military administration he introduced a new system known as
the Mansabdari System. The Mansabdars had to maintain soldiers according to his
grade or rank. There were thirty three grades of these Mansabdars who maintained
soldiers ranging from 10 to 10,000. They were paid salaries in cash and the system
of assignments of lands was discouraged. They were directly under the charge of
the emperor and were promoted, degrade or dismissed at his will. He also revived
the practice of taking the descriptive rolls of the soldiers and branding the horses.

ARMY ADMINISTRATION

❖ A large number of troops were, no doubt, supplied by these Mansabdars but
Akbar had maintained a standing army of his own. The Mughal army consisted of
infantry, cavalry, artillery, elephants, and navy. The cavalry was the most important
wing of the army and special attention was paid towards its organization and
equipment . The military organization of Akbar had no doubt certain defects (e.g.,
The Mansabdars cheated the government, the soldiers were more loyal to the chiefs
than to the emperor, the practice of payment through the Mansabdars was
precarious and often led to abuses, efficiency of one unit to unit, etc.) but still under
Akbar it worked well because of his uncommon ability as a leader and an
administrator, great vigilance and discipline.