46th B.P.S.C. (Pre) 2003

State Patronage in Mughal India

Authentic Past Paper Standard Evaluation

'Madad-i-Mash' indicates in Mughal administration-

Solution & Analysis

Answer: B

Concept To promote culture and maintain religious support, the Mughal state set aside a portion of its land revenue specifically for the upkeep of the intellectual and spiritual elite.

Explanation Madad-i-Maash (also called Suyurghal) refers to revenue-free land grants given to learned persons, scholars, and religious figures. The grantees were allowed to keep the entire income from the land for their maintenance, and in return, they were expected to pray for the empire's stability.

Logical Breakup
Logic 1: These grants were often hereditary and served as a welfare system for the empire's educated class.
Logic 2: These lands were excluded from the 'Khalisa' (crown lands) and 'Jagir' (official assignments) categories.

Active Recall

Question

Who managed the distribution of Madad-i-Maash?

Answer

The 'Sadr-us-Sudur', the high official in charge of religious and charitable endowments, oversaw these grants.

Core Insight

Madad-i-Maash created a loyal class of rural intellectuals who had a direct stake in the survival of the Mughal state.