Mughal Empire: Revenue System of Akbar Explained
Mughal Empire: Revenue System of Akbar Explained
The Mughal Empire reached new heights of administrative efficiency under Emperor Akbar (1556–1605). Among his many reforms, the revenue and land administration system stands out as a model of organization in medieval India. A strong revenue system was essential for funding the army, running the administration, and maintaining stability across the empire. Akbar’s reforms, implemented with the help of Raja Todarmal, aimed at fairness, uniformity, and efficiency. This system became the backbone of Mughal governance and influenced land administration long after his reign. It reflects the Mughal Empire’s commitment to order, justice, and prosperity.
Akbar’s revenue reforms were mainly carried out under the guidance of his able finance minister, Raja Todarmal. These reforms aimed to remove corruption, reduce oppression of peasants, bring uniformity in land measurement, and ensure a fair assessment of land revenue. The revenue system introduced during Akbar’s reign became the foundation of Mughal land administration and continued, with minor changes, under later Mughal rulers.
1. Objectives of Akbar’s Revenue Policy
Akbar’s revenue reforms in the Mughal Empire were guided by clear objectives. The state aimed to secure regular income while reducing exploitation of peasants. Uniform land measurement and systematic assessment were introduced to remove arbitrariness. The reforms encouraged agricultural expansion and ensured stability in revenue collection. Akbar believed that the prosperity of the Mughal Empire depended on the well-being of its cultivators. By balancing the interests of the state and peasants, he created a fair and predictable revenue system. These objectives strengthened both the economy and administration of the empire.
Akbar believed that the prosperity of the empire depended on the prosperity of the peasants. Hence, his revenue system tried to balance the interests of both the state and the cultivators.
2. Administrative Background Of Mughal Empire
Before Akbar, rulers like Sher Shah Suri had introduced important land revenue reforms, including land measurement and fixation of the state’s share. Akbar adopted many of these ideas but refined them further to suit the needs of a large and diverse empire.
Under Akbar, revenue administration became centralized, systematic, and standardized, marking a major departure from earlier, more arbitrary systems.
3. Standardization of Land Measurement In Mughal Empire
One of Akbar’s most significant contributions was the standardization of land measurement, which removed confusion and reduced corruption.
3.1 Territorial Divisions
For administrative and fiscal purposes, Akbar divided his empire into:
- 15 Subahs (provinces)
- 187 Sarkars (districts)
- 3367 Mahals (parganas or revenue units)
This was the first time in medieval India that such detailed territorial divisions were made.
3.2 Ilahi Gaj – Standard Unit of Measurement
Akbar introduced a standardized unit of measurement known as the Ilahi Gaj.
- One Ilahi Gaj = approximately 41 fingers (about 29–32 inches)
- It was shorter than the Sikandari Gaj used earlier
- It became the official unit for land measurement across the empire
The use of a uniform unit helped eliminate ambiguity and prevented revenue officials from manipulating measurements.
3.3 Reform of the Tenab (Measuring Rope)
Earlier, land was measured using a rope called Tenab, which expanded or shrank due to humidity and seasonal changes. To solve this problem:
- Akbar replaced the rope with bamboo pieces joined by iron rings
- This new system ensured accuracy and consistency in measurement throughout the year
3.4 Measurement of Bigha
- One Bigha was fixed at 3600 Ilahi Gaj
- A Bigha was roughly half of a modern acre
- Several Bighas formed a Mahal
- Several Mahals were grouped under a Dastur
This clear hierarchy simplified revenue calculations.
4. Classification of Land In Mughal Empire
After standardizing measurement, Akbar focused on classifying land to determine productivity and revenue demand. The basis of classification was continuity of cultivation, not soil quality.
Types of Land
- Polaj
- Best quality land
- Cultivated every year
- Never left fallow
- Best quality land
- Parauti (Parati)
- Temporarily left fallow for 1–2 years
- Cultivated again to restore fertility
- Temporarily left fallow for 1–2 years
- Chachar
- Left uncultivated for 3–4 years
- Required concessional rates to encourage cultivation
- Left uncultivated for 3–4 years
- Banjar
- Uncultivated for 5 years or more
- Least productive land
- Uncultivated for 5 years or more
This classification allowed the state to assess revenue according to the cultivation pattern of land.
5. Ascertainment of Produce per Bigha
Akbar’s officials conducted detailed surveys to estimate the average produce per Bigha.
Sub-classification of Land
Polaj and Parauti lands were further divided into:
- Good
- Middle
- Bad
The average produce of these three categories was calculated. This average was known as Mahsul.
6. Fixation of the State’s Share
Once the average produce was determined, the next step was to decide the state’s share.
- One-third of the Mahsul was fixed as the state’s share
- This rate applied mainly to Polaj and Parauti lands
- Parauti land paid the same rate as Polaj once cultivated
- Chachar land paid concessional rates until it regained fertility
- Banjar land was encouraged for cultivation through lower assessments
Peasants were given the option to pay revenue either in cash or in kind, depending on their convenience.
7. Fixing the Rate of Assessment
Fixing the rate of revenue assessment was the most complex and debated aspect of Akbar’s revenue system.
Early System – Rai System
Initially, Akbar followed Sher Shah’s Rai system, which involved:
- Measuring cultivated land
- Fixing crop-wise revenue rates
- Assessing one-third of produce as revenue
- Payment mostly in cash
However, this system faced several problems:
- Crop prices varied from region to region
- Official prices did not reflect local market conditions
- Peasants found it difficult to pay in cash
- Revenue officials indulged in corruption
- Annual price fixation was cumbersome
8. Dahshala System (Zabti System)
To overcome these problems, Raja Todarmal introduced the Dahshala system, also known as the Zabti system.
Key Features of the Dahshala System
- Revenue rates were calculated based on average produce of the last ten years
- Data from 1570 to 1579 was used
- A decennial (10-year) average was fixed as the revenue demand
- Rates were crop-wise and expressed in cash
- Revenue demand became stable and predictable
This system reduced uncertainty and made revenue collection more efficient.
Zabti System Explained
- Land was carefully measured
- Crop-wise rates (Dastur) were fixed
- Revenue was collected only in cash
- The system worked best in fertile and stable regions
The Zabti system became the standard system of assessment during most of the Mughal period and was later extended to new regions, including the Deccan.
9. Jagirdari System
Alongside the revenue system, Akbar developed the Jagirdari system to manage land and pay officials.
Types of Land
- Khalisa
- Revenue went directly to the Imperial treasury
- Revenue went directly to the Imperial treasury
- Jagir
- Revenue assigned to Jagirdars instead of salary
- Revenue assigned to Jagirdars instead of salary
Role of Jagirdars
- Collected revenue from assigned land
- Maintained law and order
- Managed administration
- Supplied troops to the empire
Jagirs were transferable, preventing Jagirdars from developing local power bases. This ensured strong central control.
10. Administrative Machinery
Several officials assisted in revenue administration:
- Amil / Amalguzar – revenue collector
- Qanungo – keeper of land records
- Patwari – village-level accountant
- Karori – supervised revenue collection
This hierarchical structure ensured effective monitoring and reduced misuse of authority.
11. Benefits of Akbar’s Revenue System
- Introduced uniform measurement and assessment
- Reduced arbitrary taxation
- Provided relief to peasants
- Ensured a steady income for the state
- Encouraged agricultural expansion
- Strengthened Mughal administration
12. Limitations of the System
Despite its strengths, the system had some limitations:
- Cash payment was difficult in remote areas
- Natural calamities still affected peasants
- Corruption at lower levels could not be fully eliminated
- The system worked best only in stable regions
Conclusion
Akbar’s revenue system was one of the most scientific and humane land revenue systems of medieval India. By combining accurate land measurement, fair classification, fixed state share, and long-term assessment, Akbar ensured stability in revenue collection while safeguarding peasant interests.
The Zabti and Dahshala systems, introduced under Raja Todarmal, brought certainty and efficiency to Mughal administration and became models for later rulers. Akbar’s revenue reforms not only strengthened the Mughal Empire but also left a lasting legacy in the history of Indian administration.
In essence, Akbar’s land revenue system reflected his broader vision of governance — a system based on justice, order, and administrative rationality, which played a crucial role in the success and longevity of the Mughal Empire.
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The Source’s Authority and Ownership of the Article is Claimed By THE STUDY IAS BY MANIKANT SINGH
