The Mansabdari system was a system of administration and military organization used in the Mughal Empire of India.

It was introduced by Emperor Akbar and was in use from the 16th to the 18th centuries.Under the Mansabdari system, each administrative and military official was assigned a rank, or “mansab,” which determined their authority, responsibilities, and remuneration.

The highest rank was held by the emperor himself, and ranks were then assigned to the members of the royal family, high-ranking officials, and military commanders.

Each Mansabdar was required to maintain a specified number of horsemen, or “sawar,” to serve in the Mughal army. The number of horsemen was determined by the rank of the Mansabdar, with higher-ranked officials required to maintain more horsemen.

The Mansabdari system was considered to be an effective means of organizing and maintaining the Mughal army and bureaucracy. It allowed the emperor to exert control over the various regions of the empire, and to ensure that his orders were carried out by the administrative and military officials.However, the system was not without its flaws.

The ranking system created a rigid hierarchy, and the high-ranking officials often became powerful and influential, leading to political struggles for power and influence. Additionally, the requirement for each Mansabdar to maintain a specified number of horsemen put a strain on the empire’s resources, as the maintenance of a large number of horses was expensive.

Despite these limitations, the Mansabdari system remained in use for several centuries and had a significant impact on the administration and military organization of the Mughal Empire.