Examine the role played by zamindars in Mughal India.
The zamindars were the people who did not directly participate in the processes of agricultural production, but they enjoyed high status in the society.
(i)The zamindars considered their land as their property (milkiyat). They had control to sell, give and mortage their property.
(ii)They enjoyed many social and economic privileges because of their superior status in society.
(iii)The zamindars belonged to the upper caste which added to their exalted status in society.
(iv)The zamindars rendered certain services (khidmat) for the state. As a result of their service they received and attained higher position in the state.
(v)The zamindars had the right to collect revenue on behalf of the state and also received financial compensation for this work.
(vi)The zamindars had kept strict control over the military resources of the state. They kept a fortress and a well knit armed unit comprising cavalry, artillery and infantry.
(vii)The zamindars also played significant role in developing the agricultural land. They helped in the settlements of farmers by lending them money and agricultural instruments. It resulted in an increase in agricultural produce and the sale and purchase of land by the zamindars. There are also evidences that the zamindars held bazaars. The farmers came to these bazaars to sell their crops.
(viii)If we observe social relation of village of Mughal age as a pyramid then zamindars were at the top. They occupied the highest position in the society.
(ix)No doubt the zamindars exploited the people but their relations with the farmers depended on their mutual togetherness and hereditary part on age. So, they were able to get peasants in case of the revolt against the state.
Popular Questions of Class 12 History - Themes in Indian History - II
- Q:-
Write a note on the Kitab-ul-Hind.
- Q:-
How were the lives of forest dwellers transformed in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries?
- Q:-
Discuss the extent to which Bernier’s account enables historians to reconstruct contemporary rural society.
- Q:-
Discuss the ways in which panchayats and village headmen regulated rural society.
- Q:-
On an outline map of the world mark the countries visited by Ibn Battuta. What are the seas that he may have crossed?
- Q:-
Discuss Al-Biruni’s understanding of the caste system.
- Q:-
What were the distinctive features of the Mughal nobility? How was their relationship with the emperor shaped?
- Q:-
Analyse the evidence for slavery provided by Ibn Battuta.
- Q:-
What do you think was the significance of the rituals associated with the mahanavami dibba?
- Q:-
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.
Recently Viewed Questions of Class 12 History - Themes in Indian History - II
- Q:-
What were the elements of the practice of sati that drew the attention of Bernier?
- Q:-
Identify the elements that went into the making of the Mughal ideal of kingship.
- Q:-
Describe the major teachings of either Kabir or Baba Guru Nanak, and the ways in which these have been transmitted.
- Q:-
What were the similarities and differences between the be-shari‘a and ba-shari‘a sufi traditions?
- Q:-
How were the lives of forest dwellers transformed in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries?
- Q:-
On an outline map of the world, mark approximately Italy, Portugal, Iran and Russia. Trace the routes the travellers mentioned on p.176 would have taken to reach Vijayanagara.
- Q:-
Examine how and why rulers tried to establish connections with the traditions of the Nayanars and the sufis.
- Q:-
On an outline map of India, plot three major sufi shrines, and three places associated with temples (one each of a form of Vishnu, Shiva and the goddess).
- Q:-
What impression of the lives of the ordinary people of Vijayanagara can you cull from the various descriptions in the chapter?
- Q:-
Discuss whether the term “royal centre” is an appropriate description for the part of the city for which it is used.
- NCERT Chapter