Previous Year Question
Given below are two statements, one is labelled as Assertion (A) and other as Reason (R):
Assertion (A): The Mughal Empire was originally a Military State.
Reason (R): The vitality of the development of the Central Government System depended on its military power.
Select the correct answer using the codes given below.
Codes:
Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is the correct explanation of (A)
Both (A) and (R) are true, but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A)
(A) is true, but (R) is false
(A) is false, but (R) is true
Correct Answer: A
Detailed Solution
The Mughal Empire was established and expanded largely through military conquest. From Babur to Akbar and the later Mughal rulers, the army played a central role in expanding the Empire and maintaining control over its different territories.
One of the most important institutions of Mughal administration was the Mansabdari system. Mansabdars were not merely civil officials; they were also expected to maintain a prescribed number of cavalrymen. Thus, administrative rank and military responsibility were deeply interconnected.
The Zat rank of a Mansabdar determined his personal status and salary, while the Sawar rank was related to the number of cavalrymen he was required to maintain.
Mansabdars could receive their salaries in cash or could be assigned the right to receive revenue from a Jagir in lieu of salary. Thus, a substantial part of the revenue structure of the State was also connected with maintaining the military-official class and its contingents.
At the central level, the Mir Bakshi was the principal officer of military administration. Several functions relating to the appointment of Mansabdars, inspection of military contingents, verification of horses and soldiers, and military salaries came under his department.
Therefore, the effectiveness of the Mughal Central Government could not be separated from the military strength of the State. A powerful army formed the basis for imperial expansion, suppression of rebellions and maintenance of central control over the provinces.
For this reason, the assertion that the Mughal Empire was originally a military State is explained by the dependence of its Central Government System on military power.