what was the role of zamindar in mughal administration?
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Zamindars were landed proprietors who enjoyed certain social and economic privileges in the Mughal empire.
They held extensive personal lands (similar to today’s property)which were usually cultivated for the private use of zamindars with the help of hired labour.
The zamindars could also sell or donate these lands at will.
Most importantly, zamindars enjoyed the right to revenue collection on the behalf of the state.
They exercised control over military resources. They had their own forts as well as armed contingents comprising of cavalry,artillery and infantry.
Zamindars helped in settling cultivators by providing them with means of cultivation,including cash loans.
From time in memorial, zamindars have always been projected as an exploitative class but it was not so. They were in fact paternal figures (mai-baap)for the peasantry.
The evidence comes from the accounts of bhakti saints. In order to reinforce this proposition we can recall that , During the agrarian uprising that erupted in north India in the 17th century, zamindars often received the support of the peasantry which was not possible if their relationship was not cordial.
In simple words ,we can say that zamindars played a significant role in mobilizing peasants.
They held extensive personal lands (similar to today’s property)which were usually cultivated for the private use of zamindars with the help of hired labour.
The zamindars could also sell or donate these lands at will.
Most importantly, zamindars enjoyed the right to revenue collection on the behalf of the state.
They exercised control over military resources. They had their own forts as well as armed contingents comprising of cavalry,artillery and infantry.
Zamindars helped in settling cultivators by providing them with means of cultivation,including cash loans.
From time in memorial, zamindars have always been projected as an exploitative class but it was not so. They were in fact paternal figures (mai-baap)for the peasantry.
The evidence comes from the accounts of bhakti saints. In order to reinforce this proposition we can recall that , During the agrarian uprising that erupted in north India in the 17th century, zamindars often received the support of the peasantry which was not possible if their relationship was not cordial.
In simple words ,we can say that zamindars played a significant role in mobilizing peasants.
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Ans. Zamindars were powerful local chieftains appointed by the Mughal rulers. They exercised great influence and power. They collected taxes from the peasants and gave them to the Mughal emperor. Thus, they played the role of intermediaries. In some areas the zamindars became more powerful. The exploitation by Mughal administrators made them to rebellion. They got support from the peasants in rebelling against the Mughal authority.
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