Changes in Akbar's Mansabdari System

Changes in Akbar's Mansabdari System Jahangir and Shah Jahan introduced new systems into the original mansabdari system of Akbar. While the system introduced by Jahangir was called du-aspah sih-aspah, the one brought out by Shah Jahan was the month-ratio or month-scale system.

(i) Du-aspah sih-aspah system The term du-aspah sih­aspah literally means trooper with two or three horses. Under this system, selected nobles could be allowed to maintain a large quota of soldiers, without making any change in their Jat rank. It implied that a mansabdar or noble holding du-aspah sih-aspah rank had to maintain double the quota of troopers indicated by his sawar rank. They were paid accordingly.
(ii) Month-ratio or Month-scale system It was a new scaling device under which the salaries of mansabdars were put on a month scale: ten months, eight months, six months or even less. The obligations of the mansabdars for main­taining a quota of sawars were brought down accordingly. The month-scale system was applied to both jagirs and those who were paid in cash.

The mansabsari system was not without defects. As the soldiers were recruited and paid by the mansabdars, their loyalty and attachment were to their immediate master rather than to the emperor. This gap between the emperor and the bulk of his army was a source of serious danger to the government.