Why this matters now
The iqta and mansabdari systems, land-revenue administration and the medieval economy are tested in GS-1 and tie the Sultanate and Mughal pages together.
Administrative systems
The Delhi Sultanate ran on the iqta system — assigning land revenue to nobles (iqtadars) in lieu of salary. The Mughals developed the mansabdari system (graded ranks of zat and sawar) for nobles/officers, and divided the empire into subas (provinces) under subedars, with diwans for revenue.
Land revenue
Land revenue was the main income. Alauddin Khilji introduced measurement-based assessment and price control; Sher Shah Suri reformed revenue (and currency — the silver rupiya); the Mughal zabt/dahsala system (refined by Raja Todar Mal) assessed revenue on measured land and average yields. The jagirdari system assigned revenue rights to mansabdars.
Agriculture, trade and towns
The economy rested on agriculture (the bulk of revenue), thriving handicrafts (textiles), internal and overseas trade, and growing towns. India was a major exporter of textiles and a hub of the Indian Ocean trade — making the Mughal economy one of the world’s largest before colonial decline.
UPSC angle
Know the iqta (Sultanate) and mansabdari (Mughal, zat/sawar) systems, land-revenue reforms (Alauddin, Sher Shah-rupiya, Todar Mal-zabt), the jagirdari system, and the textile/trade-rich medieval economy.
Frequently asked questions
What was the iqta system?
A Delhi Sultanate system of assigning land revenue to nobles (iqtadars) in lieu of a salary.
What was the mansabdari system?
The Mughal system of grading nobles and officers by rank (zat and sawar) for administration and the military.
Who reformed the Mughal land-revenue system?
Raja Todar Mal, who developed the zabt/dahsala system under Akbar.
What made the medieval Indian economy strong?
A productive agrarian base, thriving handicrafts (especially textiles) and extensive internal and overseas trade.