The correct option is (c) 1 and 3 only
Explanation
The Mansabdari system was the administrative backbone of the Mughal Empire, introduced by Akbar. It was a unique system that organized the nobility and the army, where every officer was assigned a rank (mansab) determining their status, pay, and military obligations. The system combined civil and military responsibilities.
Statement 1 is Correct:
A Mansabdar’s rank was denoted by two numbers: Zat and Sawar. The Zat rank determined personal status and salary, while the Sawar rank specified the number of cavalrymen (horsemen) the Mansabdar was required to maintain. They were expected to recruit, inspect, and pay these troops, and bring them for muster (inspection) regularly.
Statement 2 is Incorrect:
Mansabdars received their salaries either in cash (Naqdi) or through the assignment of revenue rights over a piece of land known as a Jagir. However, the Mansabdar did not necessarily reside in the Jagir. The Jagirs were transferable and frequently changed (often every three to four years) to prevent the development of local power bases. The Mansabdar often served in a different part of the empire while his agents collected revenue from the assigned Jagir.
Statement 3 is Correct:
Mansabdars were directly under the control of the Emperor and constituted a single service. They could be appointed to any civil or military post and were liable to be transferred to any part of the empire based on administrative or military requirements.
Key Takeaway:
The Mansabdari system was a graded service where officers held dual civil and military responsibilities. While they had to maintain a specific quota of troops (Sawar), they were not tied to their revenue assignments (Jagirs) and served wherever the Emperor commanded.