3/29/13

Mrunal [Evolution] Mughals Mansabdari system to Modern Civil Services Print

[Evolution] Mughals Mansabdari system to Modern Civil Services

WHAT is Mansabdari?
Mansab, meaning rank. Hence, Mansabdar literally means rank-holder. generic term for the military -type grading of all imperial officials of the Mughal empire

Evolution
borrowed from Persia (just like we borrowed civil services from Britishers) prevalent during the reign of Babur and Humayun (IAS,IPS started by Sardar Patel) Akbar reformed it to efficiency (=administrative reform is not a modern phenomenon!)

Character
Though they were usually aristocrats, (almost same today) But NOT feudal aristocracy Because their offices /estates were NOT hereditary.

Grades
Name Omkar Rank / Army maintained; k=1000 1k 12k Today Under Secretary to Secretary SP to DGP Mansabdar/ Lower Omkar 20-1k Junior Clerk to Section Officer Sub inspector to Dy.SP

Terminology
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Mrunal [Evolution] Mughals Mansabdari system to Modern Civil Services Print

What? Number of ___ maintained by Mansabdaar Sawar Horses / Cavalry Zat Troops / infantry

Today Jeeps / Ambassadors Orderlies

Rank of Mansabdaar
Class 1st 2nd 3rd Ratio of Sawar (Cavalry) ___ Zat (infantry) = <

Grades
33 grades of mansabdars ranging from commanders of 10 to commanders of 10,000 Before 6th Pay Commission we had 35 pay grades, now weve only 20

Akbars reform
1. Before him, highest rank an ordinary officer could hold was that of a commander of 5000 (anything above that was reserved for nobles / princes.) >> 1. Fast forward to British : Indians couldnt rise beyond Subedars rank in Army 1. Lee Commission recommends Indianization of higher services 2. Fast forward to Modern India : plum postings in each dept. reserved for IAS (except PWD & others) 2. Now, grades were increased up to 20,000 or even more (even for ordinary Officers)

Personnel administration
Appointment, promotion, suspension or dismissal of mansabdars rested entirely with the emperor. (now its diffused for All India services : between state & Centre ) 1. Appointment , dismissal = centre (President acting on advice of cabinet) 2. Promote, suspend = State

Salary Administration
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Mrunal [Evolution] Mughals Mansabdari system to Modern Civil Services Print

No portion of a mansabdars property was hereditary, mansabdars children had to begin life anew. There was no distinction between civil and military departments, (today there is) officers both civil and military held mansabs and were liable to be transferred from one branch of the administration to another. now weve tenure system : central Secretariat +state Territorial army- esp for Railways + ONGC etc. Senior mansabdars were awarded a jagir (personal fief) rather than a salary. (now given governorship, vice-chancellorship, & party tickets for election for loyalty ) Rates of remuneration, which included both the mansabdars salary + maintenance cost of troops + horseman

Limitations
Each mansabdar was expected to maintain prescribed number of horses, elephants, equipment, etc., according to his rank and dignity. These rules, though initially strictly enforced, were later slackened. (just like what weve now in everything!) [this topic belongs to Paper2 of Public Administration, however I'm posting this in G/S section because its worth knowing for everyone.] Original article on Mansabdari was written by vinodhcr IO Wiki, Ive reformatted it to include info. On present trend in India Administration .

URL to article: http://mrunal.org/2009/11/evolution-mughals-mansabdari-systemto.html

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