Question

What was given as payment to the Mughal officers in return for their services?
A) Crown land
B) Jagirs
C) Money
D) None of the above

Answer 1

Hint: From the early 16th century through the mid-18th century, the Mughals governed most of northern India. The Mughal dynasty was famous for its more than two centuries of efficient administration over much of India, the ability of its emperors, who maintained a record of unusual competence across seven generations, and the organisation of its administrative structure.

Complete answer:
In exchange for their services, Mughal officers were given jagirs. A jagir, usually spelt jagger, was a sort of feudal land grant used to establish the Jagirdar system on the Indian subcontinent.

Mansabdars were the patrons who enlisted in the Mughal army. They were paid on the basis of revenue allocations. This was known as Jagir. Mansabdars did not live in their jagir or administrate it. They were solely entitled to the revenue generated by their assignments. While the mansabdars were serving in another area of the country, their servants gathered the revenue for them.

It arose during the Islamic reign of the Indian subcontinent, beginning in the early 13th century when a state appointee was given the authority to manage and collect taxes from an estate. The tenants were regarded to be the jagirdar's servants. One type of jagir was conditional, while the other was unconditional.

Therefore the correct answer is option ‘B’.

Note: When the Mughal empire was on the decline and there was a shortage of land to be distributed as jagirs, crown lands were given instead, resulting in a loss of revenue and a weakened economy. The conditional jagir compelled the ruling family to keep troops and serve the state when called upon. The land grant was known as iqta, and it was normal for the duration of the holder's life, with the land reverting to the state upon the jagirdar's death.