Mughal Revenue Influence on Rajputana

The Akbari Settlement in Ajmer Subah

When Akbar incorporated Rajputana states into the Mughal imperial system through the mansab-jagir framework and matrimonial alliances (1562–1590), Mughal revenue practices diffused into the region with varying intensity. The Subah of Ajmer (created 1580) covered Ajmer, Nagaur, Merta, and adjoining territories directly under Mughal administration, while the great Rajput states remained semi-autonomous tributaries.

Todar Mal's Dahsala System (1580): Revenue Minister Raja Todar Mal implemented a 10-year averaging system. Revenue demand was fixed by calculating the average produce of the previous 10 years and applying a proportional tax rate. This replaced the highly variable crop-sharing (batai) system that annually required physical division of harvests. Dahsala was introduced in the Ajmer Subah as in other Mughal provinces, and its principles influenced assessment methods adopted by Rajput states in the 17th century.

Land Classification under Zabt: Todar Mal classified cultivated land into four categories based on regularity of cultivation:

Category	Description	Revenue Treatment
Polaj	Annually cultivated, best quality	Full assessment
Parauti	Fallow every other year, good quality	Reduced assessment during fallow
Chachar	Fallow 3-4 years, moderate quality	Further reduced
Banjar	Uncultivated waste	Nil or nominal

Source: Abul Fazl, Ain-i-Akbari, Book II (c. 1590 CE); adapted for Rajputana application in Mughal revenue manuals

Zabt — the crop measurement system — involved physically measuring fields using Akbar's standardised ilahi gaz (a unit of 41 fingers/digits). Measured area multiplied by standard local crop yield multiplied by state's share (typically one-third to one-half) gave the revenue demand. In the Amber state (under the Kachhwaha Rajputs, who had the deepest Mughal integration), zabt practices were adopted alongside local rekh methods.

Mansabdari and Jagirdari Overlap

The Mughal mansabdar holding a jagir in Rajputana created an administrative hybrid. Local Rajput chiefs simultaneously held Mughal mansab ranks and their own traditional jagirs. Amber's Man Singh I (1589–1614) held Mughal mansab of 7,000 zat/7,000 sawar — the highest then given to a non-royal — while administering his ancestral territories.

This dual position meant Amber's revenue system partially mirrored Mughal procedures for Mughal-assigned jagirs while preserving customary practices for patrimonial lands.

The Patta and Qabuliyat system — written agreements between the state and cultivators specifying land, rates, and obligations — was introduced into Rajputana through Mughal administrative practice. Patta issuance became standard in eastern Rajasthan (Amber/Jaipur, Bundi) from the 17th century onward, providing a documentary basis for tenure claims that the British later used as a foundation for settlement operations.

Aurangzeb's Revenue Pressure and Rajput Resistance

Under Aurangzeb (r. 1658–1707), revenue extraction intensified. The jizya reimposed in 1679 created additional fiscal burden on Rajput territories. Aurangzeb's annexation of Marwar (1678–81) following Maharaja Jaswant Singh I's death was partly motivated by the desire to convert Marwar's khalisa revenues — one of Rajputana's richest — directly to imperial control.

The resulting Rajput-Mughal War (1679–1707) partially restored Rajput autonomy but permanently weakened the integration of Mughal revenue principles in western Rajasthan.

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