Give an account of the main characteristics of Jagirdari system.

The Jagirdari system was a prominent land revenue system in medieval and early modern India, particularly under the Mughal Empire. It was a form of territorial assignment granted by the emperor to nobles, military officials, or administrators in exchange for military service or administrative duties. Here are the main characteristics of the Jagirdari system:

1. Land Grant for Services:

   • The Jagir, or land grant, was given by the emperor to a noble or military officer in recognition of their services. It was not hereditary but was rather contingent on continued loyalty and satisfactory performance of duties.

2. Revenue Rights:

   • The Jagirdar, the recipient of the Jagir, had the right to collect revenue from the assigned territory. This revenue was intended to cover the expenses of maintaining a contingent of troops or fulfilling administrative responsibilities.

3. Military Obligations:

   • The primary purpose of the Jagirdari system was to secure the services of military personnel. The Jagirdar was expected to maintain a certain number of troops for the emperor's army. This was a crucial aspect of the Mughal military organization.

4. Tenure and Conditions:

   • Jagirs were typically granted for a specified period, and their renewal depended on the emperor's discretion. The conditions of the Jagir, including the revenue share and military obligations, were defined in a formal agreement.

5. Size and Revenue Yield:

   • The size of Jagirs varied, ranging from small parcels of land to extensive territories, depending on the services rendered by the recipient. The revenue yield from the Jagir was supposed to be sufficient to cover military expenses and provide a livelihood for the Jagirdar.

6. Transferability and Hereditary Aspects:

   • While initially intended to be non-hereditary, over time, some Jagirs became quasi-hereditary. Jagirdars often attempted to secure the hereditary transfer of their territories to their descendants, leading to debates between the emperor and the Jagirdars.

7. Administrative Functions:

   • In addition to military duties, some Jagirdars were assigned administrative responsibilities. They were expected to maintain law and order, collect revenue efficiently, and contribute to the overall governance of the assigned territory.

8. Decline and Reforms:

   • The Jagirdari system faced challenges over time, including issues of corruption, revenue mismanagement, and disputes over succession. Emperors like Akbar attempted to introduce reforms to address these challenges, but the system persisted in various forms until the decline of the Mughal Empire.

The Jagirdari system played a significant role in the Mughal administrative structure, providing a means to reward and retain the loyalty of nobles and military officers. However, its inherent complexities and challenges contributed to its decline over the years, eventually making way for different revenue and administrative systems in the later periods of Indian history.