Mughal administration incorporated a combination of Indian and extra-Indian elements. Discuss.

Indian Elements in Mughal Administration

Prior to the Mughals, the Indian subcontinent had a long history of sophisticated administrative systems. These formed the bedrock upon which Mughal rule was built:

• Land Revenue Systems: The Mughals inherited and adapted existing land revenue systems like those prevalent under the Delhi Sultanate, which themselves were influenced by earlier Indian practices. The concept of land measurement and assessment of revenue based on productivity was already present.
• Village Autonomy: The Mughals largely retained the existing system of village self-governance (panchayats) and local administration. Villages remained the basic units of administration, responsible for revenue collection and maintaining local order.
• Caste System & Social Hierarchy: While not actively promoting it, the Mughals acknowledged and worked within the existing social hierarchy based on the caste system, utilizing it for administrative purposes like recruitment.
• Indigenous Taxation: Various local taxes and cesses existed prior to Mughal rule, many of which were incorporated into the overall revenue system.

Extra-Indian Elements in Mughal Administration

The Mughals brought with them administrative practices from their Central Asian and Persian heritage:

• Mansabdari System: Introduced by Akbar, this system, borrowed from the Mongol military organization, assigned ranks (mansabs) to officials, determining their status and responsibilities. It was a complex system of military and civil administration.
• Persian Language & Court Culture: Persian became the court language, influencing administrative terminology, record-keeping, and literary culture. Persian artistic styles and architectural designs were also adopted.
• Centralized Bureaucracy: The Mughals established a highly centralized bureaucratic structure with distinct departments (diwans) responsible for revenue, military affairs, justice, and other functions. This was a departure from the more decentralized systems of some earlier Indian rulers.
• Military Organization: The Mughal army incorporated cavalry tactics and gunpowder technology, influenced by Central Asian and Ottoman military practices.

Synthesis of Indian and Extra-Indian Elements

The genius of Mughal administration lay in its ability to synthesize these diverse elements:

• Land Revenue – Zabti System: Akbar’s Zabti system, while building on existing land measurement techniques, introduced a standardized system of revenue assessment based on detailed surveys and crop yields, utilizing Persian accounting methods.
• Mansabdari & Local Administration: Mansabdars were often assigned jagirs (land grants) for revenue collection, but they relied on existing local officials (muqaddams* and *patwaris*) for actual implementation, blending centralized control with local expertise.
• Justice System: While Islamic law (Sharia) influenced legal decisions, particularly in matters of personal law, Mughal rulers also incorporated elements of Hindu law and customary practices, ensuring a degree of religious and cultural sensitivity.
• Courtly Culture: The Mughal court became a melting pot of Persian, Indian, and other cultures, fostering a unique artistic and literary tradition. This is evident in Mughal painting, architecture (e.g., Fatehpur Sikri), and literature.

Administrative Area	Indian Element	Extra-Indian Element	Synthesis
Land Revenue	Existing land measurement & assessment	Persian accounting & standardization	Zabti System – standardized, detailed assessment
Military Organization	Indian infantry & local recruitment	Mongol cavalry tactics & gunpowder	Combined army with diverse units
Justice	Hindu law & customary practices	Islamic law (Sharia)	Blend of legal systems based on religious affiliation & local customs