Akbar’s court and his imperial administration (OCR GCSE History B (Schools History Project)): Revision Notes
Akbar's court and his imperial administration
Despite his dislike for academics, Akbar had immense reformative ideas and will as an administrator. Instead of forcefully imposing his power as a conqueror, Akbar designed a centralised government to attain loyalty of his new subjects.
Centralised Government
Akbar served as the head of the kingdom.
Provincial Administration
Akbar's kingdom was divided into 15 Subas or provincial entities. This included a the following officials.
Military administration
Mansabdars were Akbar's direct officials in the military who took care of the soldiers' needs, including the following:
- Payment
- Treatment when injured
- Granting of tax-free rations
- Health checkups
- Awards for deserving soldiers
Subedar, overall in-charge of provincial development
Diwaan on the matters of finances and bills
Sadr on judicial matters and charity to people
Kotwaal on law and order on state levels
Mir Baksh on local taxes and collection of revenue
Waqr-Nawis were secret detectives and spy services
Financial administration
At the time of Akbar, land was the main source of income. Land was measured on the scales of bighas and primarily officiated by a Raja Todar Mall or finance officer. The land was classified into four kinds:
- Polaj - land for cultivation throughout the year
- Parauti - land good for one harvest followed by 2 years of lying fallow to regain fertility
- Chhachhar - land used for one harvest then left fallow for 4 to 5 years
- Banjar - infertile land not suitable for cultivation
Legislative administration
In spite of being a Muslim, Akbar reformed the judicial system according to Hindu laws. Muslim minorities had separate laws according to Islamic rules. Still, Akbar was the highest court of appeal and had the power to impose capital punishment in extreme cases.
In times of natural calamities like drought, farmers were exempt from taxes.