Raajaa Todar Mal was born in Laharpur, in Avadh, and rose to become the Finance Minister in Akbar's court. He overhauled the revenue system of Akbar's Mugal empire. He was from the Khatree community of Panjaab but some consider him to be belonging to Kaayasth community. That he was a Khatree and not a Kaayasth is also supported by the fact, as found in his many paintings also, that he wore a sacred thread (Yagyopaveet), which is traditionally worn only by Braahmqn, Kshatriya and Khatree people but not Kaayasth people. Todar Mal had developed his expertise in Sher Shaah's employ.

Todar Mal succeeded Khwaajaa Malik Itimad Khaan in 1560. Raja Todar Mal introduced standard weights and measures, a land survey and settlement system, revenue districts and officers. He can be thought of one of first statisticians in India and perhaps in the the world. Many of the fundamental data collection schemes as practiced over the centuries in the Indian subcontinent and neighboring countries can be attributed to him. In 1582, Akbar bestowed on Raja Todar Mal the title, Deevaan-e-Ashraf. His systematic land reforms of 1582, popularly known as the Bandobast (management) System, provided the framework of subsequent land taxation systems, including that introduced by Thomas Munro under British rule (1757-1947). Todar Mal died in Laahaur in 1586, the same year as Akbar's other Nava Ratna Raajaa Birbal died.
 

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