Describe the political and administrative system of the Mughal Empire.

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Describe the political and administrative system of the Mughal Empire.

The Mughal Empire, which existed from 1526 to 1857, had a well-structured political and administrative system that played a crucial role in its success and longevity. The empire was founded by Babur and reached its peak under the rule of Emperor Akbar.

The political system of the Mughal Empire was characterized by a centralized monarchy, with the emperor holding absolute power. The emperor was considered the highest authority and was responsible for making all major decisions. The position of the emperor was hereditary, passing from father to son, and the empire was ruled by a dynasty of Mughal emperors.

The emperor was assisted by a council of ministers known as the Diwan-i-Khas. This council consisted of important nobles and advisors who helped the emperor in making important political and administrative decisions. The Diwan-i-Khas was responsible for managing the empire's finances, maintaining law and order, and overseeing the administration of the provinces.

The empire was divided into provinces known as Subahs, which were further divided into districts called Sarkars. Each Subah was governed by a Subahdar, who was appointed by the emperor. The Subahdar was responsible for maintaining law and order, collecting taxes, and overseeing the administration of the Subah. The Sarkars were governed by local officials known as Faujdars, who were responsible for maintaining law and order at the district level.

The Mughal Empire also had a well-organized administrative system. The empire was divided into administrative units known as Mansabs, which were ranks or positions held by nobles and officials. The Mansabdars were responsible for maintaining a certain number of soldiers and providing military service to the empire. The Mansabdars were also responsible for collecting revenue from their assigned territories and remitting it to the imperial treasury.

The empire had a complex revenue system, with land revenue being the primary source of income. The revenue was collected by officials known as Zamindars, who were responsible for assessing and collecting taxes from the peasants. The empire also had a system of taxation on trade and commerce, which contributed to its economic prosperity.

The Mughal Empire had a tolerant approach towards religion and allowed people of different faiths to practice their religion freely. The empire had a policy of religious harmony and patronized various religions, including Islam, Hinduism, and Sikhism. This policy helped in maintaining social harmony and stability within the empire.

In conclusion, the political and administrative system of the Mughal Empire was characterized by a centralized monarchy, with the emperor holding absolute power. The empire was divided into provinces and districts, which were governed by appointed officials. The empire had a well-organized administrative system, with a complex revenue system and a tolerant approach towards religion. This system played a crucial role in the success and longevity of the Mughal Empire.