CBSE Class 7 Social Science History Notes Chapter 4 The Mughal Empire

CBSE Class 7 Social Science History Notes Chapter 4 The Mughal Empire Overview

These notes on CBSE Class 7 Social Science History Chapter 4: The Mughal Empire are created by subject by experts of Physics Wallah. They're like a guide to help you understand this important part of history. In this chapter, you'll learn about the Mughal Empire. By studying these notes, you'll get a better understanding of the Mughal Empire and its impact on India.

The Rajputs, in particular, formed significant alliances with the Mughals. Many Rajput princes forged matrimonial ties by marrying their daughters into Mughal families. In return, they received prestigious positions within the Mughal court. However, not all Rajput rulers accepted Mughal authority. For instance, the Sisodiya Rajputs of Mewar staunchly resisted Mughal dominance. Despite these resistances, the Mughals pursued a strategy of balance, aiming to defeat their opponents while avoiding humiliation. When the Sisodiya Rajputs were defeated, they were treated honorably by the Mughals, who restored their lands and granted them assignments known as watan jagirs. This approach enabled the Mughals to extend their influence over many kings and chieftains without causing widespread resentment. Maintaining this delicate balance, however, proved challenging for the Mughals. Despite their efforts, conflicts and tensions occasionally arose, testing the stability of their relationships with other rulers. Nonetheless, by carefully navigating these dynamics, the Mughals were able to expand their influence and consolidate their power over vast territories across the subcontinent.

Mansabdars and Jagirdars

As the Mughal Empire expanded, it welcomed people from various backgrounds into its service, including Turkish nobles, Iranians, Indian Muslims, Afghans, Rajputs, and Marathas. Some of these individuals served as mansabdars, holding positions or ranks within the empire. The term "mansabdar" refers to an individual who holds a "mansab," indicating their rank, salary, and military responsibilities. The Mughals employed a grading system to determine the rank and salary of a mansabdar. This system assigned a numerical value, known as "zat," to each mansabdar, with higher zat indicating a more prestigious position and larger salary. Mansabdars were also responsible for maintaining a specific number of cavalrymen, known as "sawar." Mansabdars received their salary in the form of revenue assignments called jagirs. These jagirs were similar to iqtas but differed in that most mansabdars did not directly administer their jagirs. Instead, they delegated the collection of revenue to their servants while serving elsewhere in the country. During Akbar's reign, jagirs were assessed to ensure that the revenues matched the salary of the mansabdars. However, under Aurangzeb's rule, the actual revenue collected often fell short of the granted sum. This, combined with an increase in the number of mansabdars, led to a shortage of jagirs and prolonged waits for allocation. As a result, jagirdars sought to maximize revenue during their tenure, sometimes at the expense of the peasantry, leading to discontent among the population.

Zabt and Zamindars

The Mughal rulers derived their main source of income from taxes imposed on the peasantry. These taxes were often collected through intermediaries known as zamindars, who acted as rural elites or local chieftains. Todar Mal, Akbar's revenue minister, conducted a comprehensive survey of crop yields, prices, and cultivated areas over a ten-year period. Based on this data, taxes were fixed for each crop in cash. Each province was divided into revenue circles, each with its own schedule of revenue rates for different crops. This revenue system, known as zabt, was prevalent in areas where Mughal administrators could conduct land surveys and maintain meticulous records. However, in regions like Gujarat and Bengal, where such surveys were impractical, zamindars wielded more power. Exploitative practices by Mughal administrators sometimes led to rebellion among the zamindars. Occasionally, zamindars and peasants of the same caste joined forces in rebellion against Mughal authority. Peasant revolts, which emerged towards the end of the 17th century, posed a significant challenge to the stability of the Mughal Empire. These revolts underscored the tensions and discontent simmering within the empire's agrarian society.