Economic and Social Conditions Under the Mughals

During the medieval period, Indian society was largely organised around a feudal structure that persisted even during Mughal rule. The king was at the pinnacle of his power. His court was the epicentre of wealth and power. By the end of the seventeenth century, the Mughal empire had reached its territorial zenith. During that time, it had to deal with a number of political and administrative issues. In the economic and social spheres, the period from the advent of Akbar to the end of the seventeenth century may be treated as one because there were no fundamental changes, though there were significant social and economic developments that we will attempt to analyse.

Division of Society

• During the Mughal era, society was divided into three major sections: rich, middle, and poor. There were significant differences between these three classes.
• The wealthy were at the top of the socioeconomic ladder. This class possessed all of the advantages and lived in exceptional luxury with ample resources.
• The middle class was a relatively new development, and it eventually became a vital force in Mughal India.
• Both indoor and outdoor games were popular because they had the time and resources to participate in them. The Mughal Empire was extremely prosperous and successful.
• The middle class was typically made up of merchants, businessmen, and other professionals. They lived a comfortable and sensible life despite not being able to afford the opulence of the upper rich class.
• However, some middle-class families were quite wealthy and indulged in a variety of luxuries.
• Next to the middle class was the poor class. They were frequently regarded as the most neglected segment of society.
• In terms of living standards, there were significant differences between the two preceding classes.

Standard of Living

• Many European traders and travellers visited India during this time period, and some of them left accounts of the country’s social and economic conditions.
• In general, they have emphasised India’s wealth and prosperity, as well as the ostentatious lifestyle of the ruling classes, on the one hand, and the grinding poverty of the ordinary people—peasants, artisans, and laborers—on the other.
• The scanty clothing worn by the common people struck Babur. ‘Peasants and people of low standing go about naked,’ he observed.
• He then describes the langota, or decency cloth, worn by men and the sari worn by women. Later European travellers corroborated his impression.
• According to Ralph Fitch, who visited India near the end of the sixteenth century, “In the winter, the men wore quilted gowns of cotton, and quilted caps.”
• De Laet stated that the labourers lacked adequate clothing to keep warm and cosy during the winter..
• Similar comments have been made about footwear. Nikitin noticed that the Deccan people walked barefoot. Moreland, a modern author, claims that he did not find a shoe mentioned anywhere north of the Narmada river except Bengal, which he attributes to the high cost of leather.
• There was little need to say about housing and furniture. The mud houses in which the villagers lived were identical to those found today.
• They didn’t have much furniture except cots and bamboo mats, as well as earthen utensils made by the village potter. Copper and bell-metal plates and utensils were costly and rarely used by the poor.