Jahangir reduced the Mansab of which Rajput ruler after he became the Mughal Emperor?

The correct answer is Man Singh.

Key Points

• Man Singh was a prominent Rajput leader and one of the trusted generals of Emperor Akbar who held the high-ranking Mansab of 7000 during Akbar's reign.
• After Jahangir ascended the throne, he reduced the Mansab of Man Singh from 7000 to 5000 due to political reasons and reorganization of Mughal administration.
• Man Singh played a crucial role in Mughal conquests and administration, especially in the regions of Bengal and Orissa.
• The reduction of Mansab under Jahangir indicated the shifting dynamics of Mughal-Rajput relations during the early 17th century.
• Mansabdar system was a key administrative mechanism in the Mughal Empire to rank and remunerate officials based on their military and administrative contributions.

Additional Information

• Mansabdari System
  • The Mansabdari system was introduced by Akbar to organize the Mughal administration and military hierarchy.
  • It classified officials into ranks called Mansabs, which determined their status, salary, and number of troops they could command.
  • Mansabs ranged from 10 to 10,000, with higher ranks reserved for nobles and military leaders.
  • Mansabdars were required to maintain a specified number of troops and horses for imperial service.
• Jahangir's Administrative Reforms
  • Jahangir introduced several reforms aimed at consolidating his authority and ensuring efficient governance.
  • He focused on justice and is famously known for installing the "Chain of Justice" at Agra for public grievance redressal.
  • The reduction in Mansabs of certain officials reflected Jahangir's intent to reorganize the Mughal bureaucracy.
• Rajput-Mughal Relations
  • Rajput leaders like Man Singh played a significant role in strengthening Mughal rule through their loyalty and contributions.
  • Akbar fostered alliances with Rajputs through marital ties and administrative partnerships, creating a stable empire.
  • During Jahangir's reign, tensions arose occasionally, but Rajputs continued to play a crucial role in the empire's expansion and governance.
• Historical Context
  • Man Singh’s reduced Mansab under Jahangir was part of broader administrative adjustments, reflecting the evolving power dynamics within the Mughal Empire.
  • Such changes highlighted the imperial strategy of balancing loyalty, merit, and central control in governance.