In the Mansabdari system do-aspa, Sih-aspa was introduced by Emperor

The correct answer is - Jahangir

Key Points

• Do-aspa Sih-aspa
  • This system was introduced by Emperor Jahangir to strengthen the Mansabdari military structure of the Mughal empire.
  • In this system, selected nobles were allowed to maintain a double number of cavalrymen (aspa = horse), hence the terms do-aspa (two horses) and sih-aspa (three horses).
  • It was primarily a military reform aiming to improve the efficiency and readiness of cavalry troops.
  • Those nobles who held the Do-aspa Sih-aspa rank had to maintain additional cavalry over and above their zat rank.

Additional Information

• Mansabdari System
  • Originally introduced by Akbar, the Mansabdari system was a bureaucratic setup to rank nobles and assign responsibilities.
  • The rank was expressed in terms of zat (personal rank) and sawar (cavalry rank).
  • The zat determined a noble’s salary and status, while sawar indicated the number of cavalrymen a noble had to maintain.
• Further Developments by Jahangir
  • Jahangir retained the basic framework of the Mansabdari system but made it more militarily robust by adding the Do-aspa Sih-aspa clause.
  • This reform was part of his broader efforts to maintain a disciplined and agile army in the face of internal and external threats.
• Later Mughal Rulers
  • Shahjahan and Aurangzeb continued with the Mansabdari system but faced challenges in controlling corruption and inefficiency within the ranks.