Discuss the working of the mansab and the jagir systems under the Mughals.

Under the Mughal Empire, the mansab and jagir systems were integral administrative and military mechanisms that facilitated governance, revenue collection, and the maintenance of a standing army. These systems played crucial roles in the organization and stability of the empire, reflecting Mughal policies of centralization and imperial control.

1. Mansab System:
   The mansab system was a hierarchical ranking system used to organize the nobility and military commanders (mansabdars) within the Mughal administration. Mansab, meaning "position" or "rank," denoted both military and civil ranks granted by the emperor. Mansabdars were assigned a mansab (rank) based on their military capabilities, loyalty, and administrative skills.

   • Rank and Salary: Each mansabdar was granted a mansab rank expressed in a number followed by the title of 'zat' (personal rank) and 'sawar' (number of cavalrymen they were required to maintain). For example, a mansabdar could hold a rank of 5000 zat and 4000 sawar, meaning they were expected to maintain a force of 4000 cavalrymen. The higher the mansab, the greater the salary and privileges.

   • Promotion and Demotion: The mansab system was flexible, allowing for promotion or demotion based on merit, loyalty, or imperial favor. Mansabdars could rise or fall in ranks depending on their performance or circumstances. This system incentivized loyalty to the emperor and rewarded military prowess.

   • Revenue Collection: Mansabdars were not only military commanders but also revenue officials responsible for collecting and remitting revenues from their assigned territories to the imperial treasury. The salary of the mansabdars was paid from the revenue collected from their jagirs (land grants).

2. Jagir System:
   The jagir system was a land-grant system under which mansabdars were awarded revenue-yielding territories (jagirs) as compensation for their military service. Jagirs were typically assigned based on the mansabdar's rank and military responsibilities.

   • Revenue Rights: The jagirdar (holder of the jagir) had the right to collect revenue from the assigned territory. A portion of the revenue (usually around one-third to one-half) was retained by the jagirdar as salary, while the remainder was remitted to the imperial treasury.

   • Preventive Against Rebellion: The jagir system served as a mechanism to ensure the loyalty of the nobility and military commanders to the Mughal emperor. By granting land revenue rights, the emperor could secure the allegiance of influential nobles and generals, reducing the risk of rebellion or defection.

   • Rotation and Control: Jagirs were not hereditary and were subject to periodic rotation or redistribution to prevent the accumulation of power and wealth by individual nobles. This allowed the Mughal emperor to maintain control over the empire's resources and prevent the emergence of regional strongmen.

Overall, the mansab and jagir systems were essential components of Mughal administrative and military organization, providing a structured hierarchy of ranks and ensuring the loyalty of the nobility through land grants and revenue rights. While effective in consolidating imperial control, these systems also contributed to the centralization of power under the Mughal emperors and played a significant role in the stability and governance of the empire during its zenith. However, over time, challenges and abuses within these systems contributed to the eventual decline of the Mughal Empire in the 18th century.