The Mughal Empire

The Moghul Empire – Administration and Military

The Rise of the Moghul Empire

What were the influences behind the success of the Mughals? How were they able to establish and maintain their sovereignty over the Indian sub-continent and legitimize their rule being invaders? Was it because they had improved military technology and skills? Or had charismatic rulers? Or were the centralizing institutions broad base with culturally diverse bureaucracies accountable for their achievement? How did the offspring of Babur who governed over a small principality in Farghana (Afghanistan) produce one of the most influential empires?

The Mughals preserved the largest standing army of that time (the timeframe being mentioned collectively refers to 1526-1707 during the time of Babur to Aurangzeb). In 1628 there were 200,000 salaried cavalrymen, Mansabdars, Ahadis and mounted musketeers that were positioned at the imperial capital. In many instances, the Moghuls had the fastest moving army as well. Akbar was able to cover a distance of 500 miles (normally it took twenty-one days), in nine days to crush a rebellion (this feat was never repeated).

Mughal dynamism hinge on its military conquests, so much that some historians call it “a war state.” Mughal emperors made minute apologies for attacking the neighboring rulers and they viewed the adjoining territories either as tributaries or enemies. The Mughal emperors, especially Akbar, created a special image of himself, and some of his personal qualities and virtues later served as a model for his successors.

Administration

Most of the administrative institutions were initiated and established during the reign of Akbar. He was able to shape a centralized administration which was capable of stable expansion as fresh territories were supplemented to the empire. At the apex of this system was the emperor who acted as a chief executive. At the central level there were four main officials and their ministries namely: Diwan who...