The Cambridge History of India, Vol. IV: The Mughul Period v4.c16.12

v4.c16.12

The regulation of the grades of the officers of state consisted in the establishment of a graded list of the *mansabdārs*, or officers of the army, whose rank ranged from that of commander of 5000 down to that of commander of ten horse. The measure affected civil as well as military officials, for the former held relative rank and were graded as commanders of horse even though they might never command troops. Akbar's intention was that all should, as a rule, enter in the lowest rank and rise by merit.