UPSC Previous Year Question | Prelims GS | 2019

With reference to Mughal India, what is/are the difference/differences between Jagirdar and Zamindar? 1. Jagirdars were holders of land assignments in lieu of judicial and police duties, whereas Zamindars were holders of revenue rights without obligation to perform any duty other than revenue collection. 2. Land assignments to Jagirdars were hereditary and revenue rights of Zamindars were not hereditary. Select the correct answer using the code given below.

  1. 1 only
  2. 2 only
  3. Both 1 and 2
  4. Neither 1 nor 2

Answer

Correct Answer

Neither 1 nor 2

Explanation

Neither statement is correct. Jagirdars held revenue assignments (jagirs) in lieu of salary linked to their mansab (rank) and were expected to render military service; their jagirs were transferable and not hereditary. Zamindars, on the other hand, held hereditary rights over revenue and local dominance, and they too had obligations such as supplying troops and rendering khidmat (service/gifts) to the Mughal state. Statement 1 misdescribes both, and statement 2 reverses the actual position.

Topics: history, jagirdar and zamindar, medieval india, mughal empire - administration