Q. Consider the following statements with respect to evolution of Mansabdari system:
- Normally, no mansabdar was given a sawar rank higher than his zat rank.
- ‘Du-aspah-sih-aspah’ system was a modification in the mansabdari system.
- Jama-dami was the assessed income of a jagir.
Which of the above is / are correct?
Answer:
All of the above
Notes: In the beginning of the mansabdari system, the rank and pay of a mansabdar was denoted by a single figure. But, it was later bifurcated into twozat and sawar ranks. The zat rank symbolised the personal pay of the noble and the sawar rank indicated his military responsibilities. Normally, no mansabdar was given a sawar rank which was higher than his zat rank. This was done so as to maintain order in the hierarchy of nobles. So, statement 1 is correct. Jahangir introduced a modification in the mansabdari system whereby selected nobles could be allowed to maintain a large quota of troopers, without raising their zat rank. This was called 'du-aspah-sih-aspah' system (literally, trooper with 2 or 3 horses) which implied that a mansabdar holding this rank had to maintain and was paid for double the quota of troopers indicated by their sawar rank. Thus, a mansabdar holding a zat rank of 3000, and 3000 sawar ‘du aspah-sih-aspah’ would be required to maintain 6000 troopers. Normally, no mansabdar was given a sawar rank higher than his zat rank. ‘Du-aspah-sih-aspah’ system was a way to circumvent this rule. So, statement 2 is correct. A mansabdar was given a jagir which equalled his salary. Before giving a jagir to a mansabdar, its revenue potential was assessed and quantified in ‘Dam’. 40 dams were roughly equal to a rupee. A register was maintained by the revenue department to keep the related records of all the jagirs. This document was called the jama-dami or assessed income based on dams. So, statement 3 is correct.