In medieval India, why was the mansabdari system introduced?
- AFor revenue collection
- BFacilitating recruitment to the army
- CTo establish religious harmony
- DEnsuring clean administration
- ENone of the above/More than one of the above
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: (b) Facilitating recruitment to the army
Explanation
The Mansabdari system was a special administrative system introduced by the Mughal ruler Akbar. A mansab determined three things—(1) the officer’s order of precedence, (2) the pay scale, and (3) military responsibility. Under military responsibility, a mansabdar had to maintain soldiers according to his mansab. Through this system, the state placed the direct responsibility of recruitment and maintenance of soldiers upon the mansabdars, in return for which the mansabdar was granted cash or a jagir. Therefore, option (b) is correct.