The Institutes of Akbar 353.1

353.1

Mansur was at first Mushrif (accountant) of the Khushbu Khanah (Perfume Department). Differences which he had with Muzaffar Khan (No. 37) induced Sh. Mansur to go to Jaunpur, where Khan Zaman made him his Diwan. Subsequently he served Mun’im Khan Khanan in the same capacity. After Mun’im’s death, he worked for a short time with Todar Mall in financial matters. In the 21st year (983), he was appointed by the emperor Vazir. He worked up all arrears, and applied himself to reform the means of collecting the land revenue. The custom then was to depend on experienced assessors for the annual rate of the tax; but this method was now found inconvenient, because the empire had become greater; for at different places the assessment differed, and people and soldiers suffered losses. For this reason, the Khwajah, in the 24th year, prepared a new rent roll, based upon the preceding Dahsalah roll, and upon the prices current in the 24th year. The empire itself which did not then include Orisa, T’hat’hah, Kashmir, and the Dak’hin, was divided into 12 parts, called Cubahs; and to each çubah a sipahsalar (Military Governor), a Diwan, a Bakhshi (Military Paymaster and Secretary), a Mir ’Adl, a Cadr, a Kotwal, a Mir Bahr, and a Waqi’ah Nawis (p. 258) were to be appointed. The strictness which the Khwajah displayed towards jagir-holders led to serious results.