The Mughal state was established by Sultan Babur in the 16th century, marked by his victory over the Lodhi Sultan in 1526. Key administrative roles included mansabdars, who held civil and military ranks, and jagirdars, who were assigned land grants for tax collection. The zabt revenue system facilitated tax collection in cash, with zamindars acting as local landowners responsible for collecting and remitting taxes to the Mughal emperor or British government.