Which of the following is not true about the Mughal mansabdari system?
- AMansabdars were paid in cash as well as in jagirs.
- BMansabdars had to maintain armed forces.
- CMansabdars could not be transferred.
- DMansabdars could be given a conditional ('mashrut') mansab.
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: (c) Mansabdars could not be transferred.
Explanation
Statement (c) is not true: mansabdars were often transferred, from one province to another and from one kind of duty to another. Their jagirs were also changed every few years. This kept them from building up local power, and a mansab was not hereditary.
The other statements are true:
- mansabdars were paid in cash (*naqdi*) or by jagirs;
- they had to keep a fixed number of horsemen (the *sawar* rank), besides their personal rank (*zat*);
- a conditional (*mashrut*) rank could be given for a particular task, as an extra rank for a time.