Question

Elaborate the economic inequality during Mughal Rule. (Answer in 5-6 points) I will mark as Brainliest.

Answer 1

Answer:

Hope it helped

Explanation:

Akbar tolerated other religions also.

Answer 2

Answer:

1. Indian Economy under Mughals:

Before the advent of the British, Indian economy was in a state of equilibrium, though at a low level. Land was the most important source of national income, the vast majority of population being dependent on agriculture.

In order to absorb the growing population, cultivation had been gradually extended since Akbar’s times either through a system of inducements such as rewards and changes in the mode of assessment or through outright govt. pressure.

The importance of irrigation was understood as can be seen from the tanks and canals constructed by the Mughal rulers. Private works were, however, few and the Govt. as yet insufficiently realised the urgency of irrigation works. Therefore, agriculture, then as now, was a “gamble in monsoons”.

The principal food crops were the same as they are today, namely, wheat, rice, maize, millet etc., while commercial crops included indigo, cotton, sugarcane and silk. Tobacco was first grown in Gujarat early in the 17th century but, within a few years, its cultivation spread to all parts of the country.

Methods of cultivation were as underdeveloped as in Europe before 1750. However, they were based upon experience handed down from generation to generation and, according to Buchanan, nicely adapted to the conditions of the country.

During Akbar’s reign, 1/3 of 10 year’s average produce was fixed as the state revenue, payable in cash. Replacement of produce-rent by money-rent was an important development signifying the growth of money economy to a certain extent.

This method of assessment was applied in the case of land which was in continuous cultivation. However, in the case of land which, on occasions, remained fallow, full rent was collected only in the year of cultivation and no revenue was charged for the fallow period.

2. Industry during the Rule of Mughal Emperors:

In the words of the Indian Industrial commission, “when merchant adventurers from the west made their first appearance in India, the industrial development of this country was, at any rate, not inferior to that of the more advanced European nations”. There was a considerable variety of arts and handicrafts whose products commanded ready sale both in Indian and foreign markets.

According to Micheal Edwards, “the economic and financial organisation of these crafts was far advanced in comparison with Europe, and techniques of production already contained the specialisation of tasks-artisans working in groups on particular stages of manufacture”. Among the industries, cotton textiles was the most important.

There was hardly an important city where cotton cloth was not manufactured although muslins of Dacca, “the shadow of a commodity” were the finest and the best known. Next came the manufacture of silk cloth. Here too, Bengal figured prominently as the premier production centre although Agra, Patna, Benares, Ahmadabad and Poona were also famous.

In the second half of the 16th and the first half of the 17th century, Kasimbazar emerged as the most important weaving centre in the country. Silk from Kasimbazar was sent to Patna, Agra, Ahmedabad and Surat where it was made into special fabrics. The woolen industry also had a measure of importance.

Its shawls, manufactured in Kashmir and Amritsar, were greatly admired in European capitals. Other important in­dustries were Brass, Copper and Bell metal wares which were manufactured all over India. However, Benares, Tanjore, Madura, Ahmedabad and Poona were the most notable centres. Stone carving, artistic marble and wood work, jewellery formed other important crafts.

Artisans worked on their own account as well as in ‘Karkhanas’ under master craftsmen or merchants who set them to work on a wage-basis.

Even where they worked independently, craftsmen were dependent upon the merchant for direction as to what to produce, for capital and for marketing. Unable to ‘pay out’ the sums of money advanced, they were often caught in the grip of the middlemen who retained for themselves a large share of profits.

Production for courts was mostly carried on in royal workshops under su­pervision of a superintendent of arts and crafts. The Mughal Emperors made every effort to induce master craftsmen and workers in different arts and crafts to come to the State ‘karkhanas’ which offered the possibility of improvement in design and workmanship.