The Mughal army was built on the Mansabdari system. Although the Mansabdari system was visible during the Sultanate period, Akbar gave it a scientific structure. Akbar had a track record of unbeaten military campaigns that consolidated Mughal rule in the Indian subcontinent. Akbar's skillful structural and organisational calibration of the Mughal army was the foundation of this military prowess and authority. In this article, we will discuss the Army of Mughal Empire of Akbar which will be helpful for UPSC exam preparation.

Army of Mughal Empire - Background

• The Mughal Empire's Army was the force with which the Mughal emperors established their empire in the 15th century and expanded it to its greatest extent at the beginning of the 18th century.
• Although its origins were in the cavalry-based armies of Central Asia, its essential form and structure were established by the empire's third emperor, Akbar.
• The army had no regimental structure, and the soldiers were not directly recruited by the emperor.
• Individuals, such as nobles or local leaders, would instead recruit their own troops, known as a mansab, and contribute them to the army.

Army of Mughal Empire - Mansabdars

• This one-of-a-kind system was devised by Akbar. The Mughal army lacked a regimental structure.
• In this system, a military officer worked for the government and was in charge of recruiting and maintaining his quota of horsemen.
• His rank was determined by the number of horsemen he provided, which ranged from 10 (the lowest) to 5000. A prince had a rank of 25000. This was known as the zat and sowar system.
• An officer was required to maintain a man-to-horse ratio of 1:2. Arabian horses were preferred because they had to be carefully verified and branded.
• In addition to foot soldiers and artillery, the officer had to keep his quota of horses, elephants, and cots for transportation.
• Soldiers were given the option of receiving monthly/annual payments or jagir, with many opting for the latter. The emperor also allotted jagir for the upkeep of the mansabs.

Army - Organization and Troops

• Ahadi Soldiers
  • They were the emperor's personal soldiers. Diwan and Bakhshi oversaw their appointment, training, and discipline on the emperor's behalf. They were well compensated by the imperial treasury.
  • An ordinary horseman was paid only twelve to fifteen rupees per month, whereas an Ahadi was paid up to five hundred rupees per month. It was unclear how much Ahadis a King would recruit.
  • Akbar increased their number to twelve thousand because they were completely loyal to the emperor.
• Dakhili Soldiers
  • They were also recruited on behalf of the emperor but were kept under the command of Mansabdars and served in the Mughal army.
  • The Mughal emperors commanded a powerful permanent army. The army of Akbar had 25,000 soldiers, but this appears to be a hypothesis, and the truth must be far from it.
  • The armies of Jahangir and Shahjahan numbered around three lakh, so Akbar's army could never be smaller than that of his successors.
  • If we count the entire Mughal army, including the army of Mansabdars and feudatories, it would be no less than forty four lakh men.
  • The following were significant units of the Mughal army that worked effectively and brought honour to Mughal emperors by extending their territory.
• Elephants
  • The Mughal emperors also kept a number of war elephants. They numbered around a thousand during Akbar's reign, but in the entire Mughal empire, they numbered around fifty thousand.
  • Elephants were used for a variety of purposes. Aside from fighting, these elephants were also used as cargo carriers.

Army of Mughal Empire - Branches

• Cavalry
  • During the Mughal period, the cavalry was divided into two groups: Bargis and Silehdar.
  • The Bargirs were soldiers who received their arms entry dresses from the state, while the Siledars owned their own weapons and horses.
  • The horses used by the cavalry belonged to Turki, Tazi, Arbi, Farsi, and others.
  • Because the cavalry was the best part of the army, it received special attention.
• Infantry
  • All Mughal emperors were concerned with the proper upkeep of the infantry. The foot soldiers were divided into two groups: Banduqchi (riflemen) and Shamshirbaz (swordmen).
  • In addition to rifle and sword, the soldiers were skilled with bows and arrows, javelins, and other weapons.
  • Apart from soldiers, the infantry included all workers associated with the army, such as slaves and water carriers.
• Artillery
  • Artillery was also an important part of the Mughal army. 'Babur was the first Mughal ruler to use gunpowder.'
  • Later on, his successors strengthened artillery. The officer in charge of this branch was Min-l-Atish.
  • During Akbar's reign, artillery was greatly improved. He had the big guns ready in addition to the small guns.
  • Small guns could be carried on elephants or camels and used very effectively on the battlefield because their direction could be changed quickly and easily, but larger guns had to be wheeled or carried on large wooden platforms.
  • Except for the Turkish artillery, Akbar's was second to none in Asia, for in Akbar's time it had reached the pinnacle of efficiency.
  • His artillery included approximately 12,000 mounted musketeers and a large number of matchlockmen, making it even more effective during the war.

Navy of Mughal Empire

• Before Akbar took control of Gujrat, the Mughals paid no attention to the development of naval forces.
• Meanwhile, the Portuguese established their dominance over the Indian Ocean, and they disagreed with those who devoted themselves to the advancement of the navy.
• Akbar and his successors possessed formidable land forces. They kept only a few small fleets of boats and could not be considered a powerful navy.
• Mir Bahr was the officer in charge of these boats. His primary responsibility was to prepare ferries and bridges for the passage of troops and local residents.
• Without a doubt, Akbar and his officers were capable of maintaining a powerful navy in the European style, but because they did not suspect any danger from the sea route, they were negligent in their efforts to form a powerful navy.
• The Mughals entrusted the protection of the western coast to the Janjira sides only because they lacked an efficient navy.
• During Akbar's reign, there was a Dag Mahali department whose main function was to keep a Huliya register for each soldier.
• He was also in charge of branding the horses and elephants. Aside from the Mansabdar mark, the animal also bore an emperor-specific mark.
• It was done correctly to avoid Mansabdar's cheating. The emperor used to inspect each Mansabdar's army annually or every three years.

Conclusion

Akbar had a track record of unbeaten military campaigns that consolidated Mughal rule in the Indian subcontinent. Akbar's skillful structural and organisational calibration of the Mughal army was the foundation of this military prowess and authority. The Mansabdari system, in particular, has been lauded for its role in preserving Mughal power during Akbar's reign. The system survived with few changes until the end of the Mughal Empire, but it was gradually weakened by his successors.

GS Mains Questions and Model Answers

Q1: Explain the significance of the Mansabdari system in Akbar’s military administration.

Answer: The Mansabdari system was a critical aspect of Akbar’s military administration, ensuring control and loyalty within the empire. It assigned ranks to officials, called mansabdars, based on their status and the number of troops they maintained. This system allowed Akbar to efficiently manage the recruitment, payment, and inspection of soldiers. The mansabdars received jagirs (land revenue assignments) but were directly accountable to the emperor, minimizing the threat of rebellion. The system also promoted meritocracy by recruiting soldiers and officials from various regions and ethnic groups.

Q2: Discuss the role of artillery in shaping Akbar's military strategy.

Answer: Artillery played a vital role in Akbar’s military campaigns, especially in siege warfare. With access to advanced gunpowder technology and the expertise of foreign engineers, Akbar modernized his artillery force. Cannons and heavy guns were deployed to breach enemy fortifications, making it easier for his troops to capture fortresses. Artillery was particularly effective in campaigns against Rajput kingdoms and Deccan sultanates. The use of artillery gave the Mughal army a tactical advantage, ensuring quick victories and expanding the empire's territory.

Q3: Analyze the challenges faced by Akbar in maintaining a large and diverse military force.

Answer: Maintaining a large and diverse military force posed several challenges for Akbar. The army consisted of soldiers from different regions, ethnicities, and religions, creating the potential for factionalism. To address this, Akbar promoted loyalty through the Mansabdari system, offering ranks and land assignments. Additionally, he implemented a direct payment system to prevent corruption. Regular inspections ensured discipline among the troops. However, managing such a vast military network required immense resources, and the jagir system sometimes caused friction between officials and local administrators.

Previous Year Questions on Army of Mughal Empire of Akbar

1. UPSC CSE 2017

Question: Explain the role of the Mansabdari system in the expansion and consolidation of the Mughal Empire.

Answer: The Mansabdari system was central to the Mughal Empire's expansion and consolidation. It provided a structured administrative framework where officials, called mansabdars, were granted ranks according to the number of troops they maintained. This system enabled Akbar to build a strong military force without creating independent feudal lords. The mansabdars received jagirs, which were revenue assignments, ensuring their loyalty to the emperor. By recruiting soldiers from various ethnic and regional backgrounds, the system also reduced the likelihood of regional revolts. The efficient organization of the military through the Mansabdari system facilitated Akbar’s territorial expansion and the consolidation of his empire.

2. UPSC CSE 2019

Question: Evaluate the importance of artillery in the military campaigns of the Mughal Empire under Akbar.

Answer: Artillery played a crucial role in Akbar’s military campaigns, particularly in siege warfare. With the integration of advanced gunpowder technology, cannons, and heavy guns, Akbar’s army was able to breach enemy fortifications effectively. This gave the Mughal forces a significant tactical advantage, enabling them to capture strategic forts in Rajasthan and other regions. Artillery was especially useful in the campaigns against Rajput kingdoms, as it allowed for swift victories and territorial expansion. Moreover, the use of artillery signaled a shift towards more modern warfare techniques, setting the Mughals apart from other regional powers. Akbar’s emphasis on artillery not only ensured military dominance but also strengthened the empire’s position as a formidable power.