Saturday, July 10, 2010

Raja Todar Mal

Raja Todar Mal was the Finance Minister in Akbar’s court. Raja Todar Mal revolutionized and changed the revenue system of Akbar’s Mughal Empire. He was from the Khatri community of Punjab (some consider him to be belonging to Kayastha community). He was a Khatri and not a Kayastha is also supported by the fact (as found in his many paintings) that he wore a secrate thread, which is traditionally worn only by Bhahmins, Kshatriya and Kharis but not Kayasthas.

Early days Raja Todar Mal’s Life: Raja Todar Mal became well versed in his administrative skills while working under Sher Shah. He joined the Akbar’s court as a clerk. Akbar was impressed with his administrative capability and gave him the post of ‘Wazir’. As a finance minister he transformed the land revenue collection and assessment into a systematic process. Reconstructing the land tax structure and introducing compensation for crop damage were also his ideas. His systems were so effective that all the others and even the British followed it later on.

Raja Todar Mal’s role in Akbar’s court: In 1560 A.D, Raja Todar Mal became the Finance Minister in Akbar’s court. Before that Khwaja Malik I’timad Khan was in that service. Raja Todar Mal introduced standard weights and measures, a land survey  and settlement system, revenue districts and officers. He can be counted as one of first statisticians in India  and perhaps in the world.

Akbar gave the title, ‘Diwan-I-Ashraf’ to Todar Mal in 1582 A.D. Todar mal’s systematic land reforms of 1582 A.D, popularly known as the ‘Bandobast’ System, gave way to the framework of subsequent land taxation systems, including that introduced by Thomas Munro.

Todar Mal was also an able soldier and General. He accompanied Raja Man Singh to crush the Afghan  rebels in Bengal. Todar Mal did foresight the significant importance of a single language for all administrative works  to be effective.  So he promoted Persian as the language for official purpose.

Raja Todar Mal’s family: Todar Mal was born in a Khatri family and he was told to be abandoned by his parents and he grew up somewhere else. He had two sons.

Last Days of Raja Todar Mal’s life: Raja Todar Mal constructed a new temple on the site of the destroyed Vishwanath temple in Varanasi in 1585 A.D. In 1586 A.D Akbar shifted to Lahore and so was Todar Mal. And Todar Mal died in Lahore in 1586 A.D, the same year as Akbar’s other navaratna Raja Birbal.
Why was Raja Todar Mal Popular?

Many of the fundamental data collection schemes as practiced by Todar Mal were used thereafter in the Indian subcontinent and neighboring countries.

Todar Mal’s genius was recognized by one and all and his popularity can be seen even these days. He was also featured in the video game Sid Meier’s Civilization 4: Beyond the Sword as a “great merchant” available in the game.

Raja Todar Mal’s palace at Fatehpur Sikri: Raja Todar Mal’s place at Fatehpur Sikri is called ‘Todar Mal Barrahdari’. This double-storeyed building is made up of red sandstone and is square in shape with chamfered angles.

There is a tibara dalan in the middle of each showy piece of the front of building on the ground floor and the arches are synchronized well with pillars and brackets on the upper storey. The corner rooms are given delicate tower like forms and are inter-connected. The upper storey has rectangular corridors overlooking the hall below. The central hall has a vaulted underside of a building; this building presents harmonious fusion of different architectural traits.