Consider the following statements regarding the Mughal mansabdari system introduced by Akbar: 1. The term 'Zat' indicated the personal rank of the mansabdar and determined his status and salary scale. 2. The term 'Sowar' indicated the actual number of horsemen maintained by the mansabdar in his military contingent. 3. The rank of mansabdars was hereditary, passing automatically from father to son upon the officer's death. Which of the statements given above are correct?

💡 Solution & Explanation

The mansabdari system graded imperial officers through Zat and Sowar designations where Zat denoted personal rank and salary while Sowar indicated the specific cavalry quota maintained by the noble. Statement 3 is incorrect because mansab ranks were not hereditary; upon the death of a mansabdar, the emperor confiscated his property through the escheat system and reassigned the rank. This ensured imperial control over nobility and prevented feudal consolidation of power.