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46th B.P.S.C. (Pre) 2004

Evolution of Mughal Military Ranks

Authentic Past Paper Standard Evaluation

Who introduced 'Do-aspa and Sih-aspa' system?

Solution & Analysis

Answer: B

Concept As the Mughal Empire expanded, the state needed a way to increase its military manpower without necessarily promoting nobles to higher, more expensive social ranks. Jahangir solved this through a technical modification of the Mansabdari system.

Explanation Jahangir introduced the Do-aspa (two horses) and Sih-aspa (three horses) system in 1611. This allowed a Mansabdar to maintain double or triple the number of horses/troopers required by his original Sawar rank, while his Zat (personal rank) remained the same.

Logical Breakup
Logic 1: It was a cost-effective way to boost the army's cavalry strength by utilizing the existing noble hierarchy.
Logic 2: For example, a noble with a rank of 3000 Zat could be ordered to maintain 6000 cavalrymen under this rule, significantly increasing the strike power of the imperial army.

Active Recall

Question

Why did Jahangir not just increase the Zat rank?

Answer

Increasing the Zat rank would have elevated the noble's social status and fixed salary permanently; Do-aspa allowed for more troops without that permanent commitment.

Core Insight

The Do-aspa Sih-aspa system shows that the Mughals were constantly 'hacking' their own administrative system to adapt to new military demands.

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