Akbar's methods of administration reinforce his power…

Akbar's methods of administration reinforce his power against two possible sources of challenge—the Afghan-Turkish aristocracy and the traditional interpreters of Islamic law, the ulama.

He creates a ranked imperial service based on ability rather than birth, whose members are obliged to serve wherever required.

They are remunerated with cash rather than land and are kept away from their inherited estates, thus centralizing the imperial power base and ensuring its supremacy.

The military and political functions of the imperial service are separate from those of revenue collection, which is supervised by the imperial treasury.

This system of administration, known as the mansabdari, is based on loyal service and cash payments and is the backbone of the Mughal Empire; its effectiveness depends on personal loyalty to the emperor and his ability and willingness to choose, remunerate, and supervise.