Mughal Society
The population of India is estimated to have been around 15 crores in the 16th century and 20 crores in the 18th century. Large areas of land were under forest cover and the area under cultivation would have been much less.
As agriculture was the prime occupation of the society the village community was the chief institution of social organization.
Though nature, composition, and governance of the village differed from place to place there were certain similarities in the village administration.
Village Administration
The Muqaddam, the privileged headman of the village, formed the Panch (Panchayat), an administrative organ of the village.
The Panch was responsible for the collection and maintenance of accounts at the village level.
The Panch allotted the unoccupied lands of the village to artisans, menials, and servants for their service to the village.
The middle class consisted of small Mansabdars, petty shopkeepers, hakims (doctors), musicians, artists, petty officials of the Mughal administration.
There was a salaried class that received grants called Madad-i-Mash from the Mughal emperor, local rulers, and zamindars.
This section often became part of the rural gentry and a link between the village and the town.
Society
Delhi, Agra, Fatehpur Sikri, Lahore, Ahmadabad, Dacca, and Multan were important cities of the empire that could be ranked along with contemporary European cities like London and Paris, and Iran.
Afghans, Indian Muslims (shaikhzadas), Rajputs, and Marathas also obtained the status of nobility. It is estimated that during the reign of Akbar over 15% of the nobility consisted of Rajputs.
Raja Man Singh, Raja Todar Mal, and Raja Birbal were Rajput nobles of repute during Akbar.
The Rajputs appointed Kayasths and Khatris for various positions in government administration. Jahangir, Shah Jahan, and Aurangzeb employed Marathas in their nobility.
For example, Shaji, the father of Shivaji, served Shah Jahan for some time. There were continuous migrations from Central Asia as there were better career prospects in India.
These migrations led to the enrichment of culture through the assimilation of diversity. Though the nobility was divided into ethnic lines they formed a composite class promoting a syncretic culture by patronizing painters, musicians, and singers of both Persian and Indian origin.
The caste system was a dominant institution in society. Castes at lower levels were subject to much repression.
Despite the popular Bhakti movement raising the banner of revolt against discrimination, the deprived and disadvantaged classes, who were landless peasants, were subject to forced labour.
The Hindu women had only a limited right of inheritance. Afghans, Indian Muslims (shaikhzadas), Rajputs, and Marathas also obtained the status of nobility.
Officials
It is estimated that during the reign of Akbar over 15% of the nobility consisted of Rajputs. Raja Man Singh, Raja Todar Mal, and Raja Birbal were Rajput nobles of repute during Akbar.
The Rajputs appointed Kayasths and Khatris for various positions in government administration. Jahangir, Shah Jahan, and Aurangzeb employed Marathas in their nobility.
For example, Shaji, the father of Shivaji, served Shah Jahan for some time. There were continuous migrations from Central Asia as there were better career prospects in India.
These migrations led to the enrichment of culture through the assimilation of diversity.
Culture
Though the nobility was divided into ethnic lines they formed a composite class promoting a syncretic culture by patronizing painters, musicians, and singers of both Persian and Indian origin.
The caste system was a dominant institution in society. Castes at lower levels were subject to much repression.
Despite the popular Bhakti movement raising the banner of revolt against discrimination, the deprived and disadvantaged classes, who were landless peasants, were subject to forced labour.
The Hindu women had only a limited right of inheritance. Widow remarriage was not permitted among upper-caste women. Along with household activities, the women were involved in spinning yarn and helped in agricultural operations.
Mughal administration discouraged the practice of sati that was prevalent among communities of the higher caste.
Muslim brides were entitled to receive Mehr (money mandatorily paid by the groom) at the time of marriage, and also had the right to inherit property, though it was not equal to the share of the male members of the family.
