What are the problems in using the Ain as a source for reconstructing agrarian history? How do historians deal with this situation?
(a)The Ain-i Akbari written by Abu’l Fazl in 1598 contains invaluable information for reconstructing the agrarian history of the Mughals. But it has its own limitations.
(b)Numerous errors in totalling have been detected. These are, however, minors and do not detract from the overall quantitative accuracy of the manuals.
(c)Another limitation is the skewed nature of the data. Data was not collected uniformly from all provinces. For example, Abu’l Fazl has not given any description regarding the caste composition of the zamindars of Bengal and Orissa (Odisha).
(d)The fiscal data collected from various sources is in detail yet some important parameters such as, wages and prices have not been incorporated properly.
(e)The detailed list of prices and wages found in the Ain-i Akbari have been acquired from data pertaining to the capital Agra and its surrounding regions. It is, therefore, of limited value for the rest of the empire.
(f)Historians have dealt with the situation by supplementing the account of the Ain by information got from the provinces. These include detailed seventeenth- eighteenth centuries revenue records from Gujarat, Rajasthan and Maharashtra. These have been also supplemented by records of the East India Company.
Write a note on the Kitab-ul-Hind.
How were the lives of forest dwellers transformed in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries?
Discuss the extent to which Bernier’s account enables historians to reconstruct contemporary rural society.
Discuss the ways in which panchayats and village headmen regulated rural society.
On an outline map of the world mark the countries visited by Ibn Battuta. What are the seas that he may have crossed?
Discuss Al-Biruni’s understanding of the caste system.
Examine the role played by zamindars in Mughal India.
What were the distinctive features of the Mughal nobility? How was their relationship with the emperor shaped?
Analyse the evidence for slavery provided by Ibn Battuta.
What do you think was the significance of the rituals associated with the mahanavami dibba?
Write a note on the Kitab-ul-Hind.
To what extent do you think caste was a factor in influencing social and economic relations in agrarian society?
On an outline map of the world, mark the areas which had economic links with the Mughal Empire, and trace out possible routes of communication.
Assess the role played by women of the imperial household in the Mughal Empire.
Discuss the ways in which the Alvars, Nayanars and Virashaivas expressed critiques of the caste system.
Discuss, with examples, the significance of monetary transactions during the period under consideration.
Discuss the major beliefs and practices that characterised Sufism.
Examine how and why rulers tried to establish connections with the traditions of the Nayanars and the sufis.
Examine the evidence that suggests that land revenue was important for the Mughal fiscal system.
Analyse the evidence for slavery provided by Ibn Battuta.