DOCSLIB.ORG

Jagirdari System During Mughals

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Jagirdari System During Mughals Jagirdari System during Mughals Assignment of a piece of land to an individual for the purpose of collection of revenue in lieu of cash salary is an age-old practice in India. In the Delhi Sultanate period such assignments were called Iqtas and the holders Iqtadars. The Mughal emperors also implemented this system and the areas assigned were called Jagirs and their holders, Jagirdars. It is to be remembered in this connection that it is not land that was assigned but the right to collect revenue or income from the piece of land. The framework of the Mughal Jagirdari system began during the reign of Akbar and in course of time it underwent modifications. Babur and Humayun continued the collection of revenue from the assigned territories through Wajahdars by fixing „wajah‟. In the time of Akbar, the territory was broadly divided as Khalisa and Jagir. The revenue of Khalisa territory was collected and deposited in the imperial treasury. Depending on the rank the Jagirdar was assigned the collection of revenue in lieu of salary in cash. The maximum area of the territory was assigned to Mansabdars on the basis of their rank. The estimated revenue from the territory was called „jama ojamadari‟ as it was calculated in „dam‟. Dam is a small copper coin. Generally, the jama included land revenue, in- land transit duties, port customs and other taxes too. This is also known as „sair jihat‟ and „hasil‟ or the amount of revenue actually collected. There were various types of Jagirs or revenue assignments. They are: (1) Jagirs, which were given in lieu of pay known as Jagir Tankha, (2) Jagirs given to an individual on certain conditions called Mashrut Jagirs, (3) Jagirs with no involvement of obligations of service and were independent of rank known as Inam Jagirs, and (4) Jagirs, assigned to Zamindars in their home lands called Watan Jagirs. Of these varieties, Tankha Jagirs were transferable for every three or four years. Watan Jagirs were hereditary Jagirs and non-transferable. Yet, all these types of Jagirs were liable for conversion. Thus, the Jagirdars were allowed to collect only the stipulated amount fixed by the king. The Jagirdar collected the revenue through his own officials like Karkun, Amir and Fotedar. The imperial bureaucracy kept a vigilant watch over the Jagirdars. The Diwan of the Suba saw to it that the Jagirdars never harassed the peasants for excess payment. From the 20th year of the reign of Akbar, an Amir was posted in the Subha to see that the Jagirdars strictly implemented the royal orders. In times of difficulty, the Jagirdar took the help of faujdar for the collection of revenue. During the later period of Aurangzeb‟s reign, there arose a crisis in Jagirdari system and this in turn led to a crisis in the Mughal Empire. We also come across the term Zamindars besides Mansabdars and Jagirdars in the official Mughal records. In the Mughal period, the term was used in a very wide sense. It meant the petty land holders in the villages and descendants of old ruling families and the Rajputs and other autonomous chiefs who exercised administrative authority in their areas. They also maintained armed forces and forts depending on their status. The Zamindars were the local elite or rural aristocracy who exercised authority in their areas. The Mansabdari and the Jagirdari were the two main institutions created by Akbar to consolidate and expand his empire which embraced both civil and military sectors of administration. Thus the Mansabdars, Jagirdars and Zamindars were a part of the Mughal nobility which acted as a prop of the Mughal administrative structure created by Akbar and nurtured by his successors. It is of great interest to note as observed by J.F. Richards, “the structure created by Akbar and his administration survived with surprisingly little change until the early years of the 18th century. Imposed and backed by the overwhelming Mughal power, this structure included beneath the tough defense of rural life and reshaped the economy, culture and society of Mughal India”. ► Mughal Jagirdari System The system of assignment of revenue of a particular territory to the nobles for their services to the state continued under the Mughals also. Under the Mughals, the areas assigned were generally called Jagir and its holders Jagirdars. The Jagirdari system was an integral part of the mansabdari system which developed under Akbar and underwent certain changes during the reign of his successors. During Akbar‟s period all the territory was broadly divided into two: Khalisa and Jagir. The revenue from the first went to imperial treasury, and that from Jagir was assigned to Jagirdars in lieu of their cash salary. Salary entitlements of mansabdars were calculated on the basis of their Zat and Sawar ranks. The salary was paid either in cash (in that case they were called Naqdi) or through the assignment of a Jagir, the latter being the preferable mode. In case the payment was made through the assignment of a Jagir, the office of the central Diwan would identify parganas the sum total of whose Jama was equal to the salary claim of the mansabdars. In case the recorded Jama was in excess of salary claim the assignee was required to deposit the balance with the central treasury. On the other hand, if it was less than the salary claim the short fall was paid from the treasury. However, none of the assignments was permanent or hereditary. The Emperor could shift part or the entire Jagir from one part of the imperial territory to another at any time. The ratio between Jagir and Khalisa kept fluctuating during the Mughal rule. During Akbar‟s period Khalisa was only 5% of total revenue, under Jahangir it was 10%, under Shahjahan it fluctuated between 9 to 15%. ` In the latter part of Aurangzeb‟s reign there was a great pressure on the Khalisa as the number of claimants for Jagir increased with the increase in the number of mansabdars. The jagirdars were also transferred from one Jagir to another (but in certain cases they were allowed to keep their Jagir in one locality for longer period of time). The system of transfer checked the Jagirdars from developing local roots. At the same time, its disadvantage was that it discouraged the Jagirdars from taking long term measures for the development of their areas. What were the types of JAGIRS ? There were various types of Jagirs. 1. Tankha Jagirs were given in lieu of salaries, 2. Mashrut Jagirs were given on certain conditions, 3. Watan Jagirs were assigned to Zamindar or rajas in their local dominions. 4. Altamgha Jagirs were given to Muslim nobles in their family towns or place of birth. Tankha Jagirs were transferable every three to four years. Watan Jagirs were hereditary and non transferable. When a Zamindar was made a mansabdar, he was given Tankha Jagir apart from his watan. Jagir at another place, if the salary of his rank was more than the income from his watan Jagir. The Jagirdars were allowed to collect only authorized revenue in accordance with the imperial regulations. The jagirdars employed their own officials like 'AMIL' etc. The imperial office kept watch on the Jagirdars. The Diwan of the suba was supposed to prevent the oppression of the peasants by the Jagirdars. Amin was posted in each suba to see that Jagirdars were following imperial regulations. Faujdar used to help the Jagirdas if they faced any difficulty in the collection of revenue. .
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Sources of Maratha History: Indian Sources
    1 SOURCES OF MARATHA HISTORY: INDIAN SOURCES Unit Structure : 1.0 Objectives 1.1 Introduction 1.2 Maratha Sources 1.3 Sanskrit Sources 1.4 Hindi Sources 1.5 Persian Sources 1.6 Summary 1.7 Additional Readings 1.8 Questions 1.0 OBJECTIVES After the completion of study of this unit the student will be able to:- 1. Understand the Marathi sources of the history of Marathas. 2. Explain the matter written in all Bakhars ranging from Sabhasad Bakhar to Tanjore Bakhar. 3. Know Shakavalies as a source of Maratha history. 4. Comprehend official files and diaries as source of Maratha history. 5. Understand the Sanskrit sources of the Maratha history. 6. Explain the Hindi sources of Maratha history. 7. Know the Persian sources of Maratha history. 1.1 INTRODUCTION The history of Marathas can be best studied with the help of first hand source material like Bakhars, State papers, court Histories, Chronicles and accounts of contemporary travelers, who came to India and made observations of Maharashtra during the period of Marathas. The Maratha scholars and historians had worked hard to construct the history of the land and people of Maharashtra. Among such scholars people like Kashinath Sane, Rajwade, Khare and Parasnis were well known luminaries in this field of history writing of Maratha. Kashinath Sane published a mass of original material like Bakhars, Sanads, letters and other state papers in his journal Kavyetihas Samgraha for more eleven years during the nineteenth century. There is much more them contribution of the Bharat Itihas Sanshodhan Mandal, Pune to this regard.
    [Show full text]
  • H.E.H. the Nizam.S Dominions, Administration Report, Part III, Vol
    Census of India, 1931 VOLUME XXIU H.E.H. the NiZalll's Dominions .(HYDERABAD STATE) PART III-Administration Report BY GULAM AHMED KHAN Census Commissioner HYDERABAD-DEtCAN. AT THE GOVERNMENT CENTRAL PRESS 1934 ,...... ~ OJ. 0- ._C H ~ r- r.f) -._, ~ U- rJ) 0.. • .-1 Z ~ ~ r..n U .. I CHAPTER I. The Administrative Report on Census sets forth the course run, the difficulties encountered and overcome and suggestions for the guidance of the next Census Commissioner. It is an important reference book and the absence of it not only means incomplej;eness of census work but also entails considerable hardship to the next officei~. Although five Census Commissioners have preceded me~ no one except that for 1901 has left a record of bis ex­ periences. In his introductory chapter of the Report volume (Part I) for 1921:J the then Census Commissioner observed that in the absence of the Administrative volume of the previous census it was found necessary for him to wade through a number of old files with a view to arriving at a de­ finite plan of work and hoped that" the Administrative volume to be published this time will give a detailed account of the machinery by which the Census work was managed and the methods of enumeration and tabula­ tion followed at the present Census. n But when I took over the duties of the Census Comrnissioner I had no alternative but to collect and study the files and follow the remarks left by my predecessor. 2. As suggested by the Census Commissioner for India.I have collected Collection of Printed Matter a few copies of all printed matter and- have them bound in the following order :- 1.
    [Show full text]
  • The Keys to British Success in South Asia COLIN WATTERSON
    The Keys to British Success in South Asia COLIN WATTERSON “God is on everyone’s side…and in the last analysis he is on the side with plenty of money and large armies” -Jean Anouilh For a period of a period of over one hundred years, the British directly controlled the subcontinent of India. How did a small island nation come on the Edge of the North Atlantic come to dominate a much larger landmass and population located almost 4000 miles away? Historian Sir John Robert Seeley wrote that the British Empire was acquired in “a fit of absence of mind” to show that the Empire was acquired gradually, piece-by-piece. This will paper will try to examine some of the most important reasons which allowed the British to successfully acquire and hold each “piece” of India. This paper will examine the conditions that were present in India before the British arrived—a crumbling central political power, fierce competition from European rivals, and Mughal neglect towards certain portions of Indian society—were important factors in British control. Economic superiority was an also important control used by the British—this paper will emphasize the way trade agreements made between the British and Indians worked to favor the British. Military force was also an important factor but this paper will show that overwhelming British force was not the reason the British military was successful—Britain’s powerful navy, ability to play Indian factions against one another, and its use of native soldiers were keys to military success. Political Agendas and Indian Historical Approaches The historiography of India has gone through four major phases—three of which have been driven by the prevailing world politics of the time.
    [Show full text]
  • The Failure of the Jagir-System of Revenue Collection 22
    STOCKHOLM SCHOOL OF ECONOMICS, DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMICS The Failure of the Jagir- System A Game-Theoretic Approach to the Fall of the Mughal Empire Eric Skoog 20894 2009-05-18 THESIS, COURSE 659, SPRING TERM 2009. TUTOR: MARK VOORNEVELD Abstract: In this paper, I investigate how the incentive-structures in the revenue-system of the Mughal Empire contributed to its disintegration. I develop a principal-agent model with multiple periods, to capture the situation that existed in the Mughal Empire. Using this model, I show that the Incentive- structure created by the system made it efficient for the agents to waste their resources on unproductive measures, and to refrain from investing. The deficit of state funds that comes thereof results in a weak emperor being unable to hold the empire together, and the agents will then declare themselves independent. Comparing this outcome with historical facts, I draw the conclusion that this was the primary reason for the rapid collapse of the Mughal Empire, and that if the emperors wanted to secure its integrity, they would have to make a credible commitment to reducing their power by allowing the establishment of a politically influential nobility. Contents 1. Introduction 4 1.1 Purpose 4 1.2 Previous Literature 4 1.3 Method 6 2. Historical background 7 2.1 Introduction to Section Two 7 2.2 Short History of the Mughal Empire 7 2.3Mughal Provincial and Revenue Administration 9 3. The Model 13 3.1 Introduction to Section Three 13 3.2 Basic Lineup of the Model 13 3.3 The Model with Infinite Periods 18 3.4 The Model with Finite Number of Periods 20 4.
    [Show full text]
  • Shivaji the Founder of Maratha Swaraj
    26 B. I. S. M. Puraskrita Grantha Mali, No. SHIVAJI THE FOUNDER OF MARATHA SWARAJ BY C. V. VAIDYA, M. A., LL. B. Fellow, University of Bombay, Vice-Ctianct-llor, Tilak University; t Bharat-Itihasa-Shamshndhak Mandal, Poona* POON)k 1931 PRICE B8. 3 : B. Printed by S. R. Sardesai, B. A. LL. f at the Navin ' * Samarth Vidyalaya's Samarth Bharat Press, Sadoshiv Peth, Poona 2. BY THE SAME AUTHOR : Price Rs* as. Mahabharat : A Criticism 2 8 Riddle of the Ramayana ( In Press ) 2 Epic India ,, 30 BOMBAY BOOK DEPOT, BOMBAY History of Mediaeval Hindu India Vol. I. Harsha and Later Kings 6 8 Vol. II. Early History of Rajputs 6 8 Vol. 111. Downfall of Hindu India 7 8 D. B. TARAPOREWALLA & SONS History of Sanskrit Literature Vedic Period ... ... 10 ARYABHUSHAN PRESS, POONA, AND BOOK-SELLERS IN BOMBAY Published by : C. V. Vaidya, at 314. Sadashiv Peth. POONA CITY. INSCRIBED WITH PERMISSION TO SHRI. BHAWANRAO SHINIVASRAO ALIAS BALASAHEB PANT PRATINIDHI,B.A., Chief of Aundh In respectful appreciation of his deep study of Maratha history and his ardent admiration of Shivaji Maharaj, THE FOUNDER OF MARATHA SWARAJ PREFACE The records in Maharashtra and other places bearing on Shivaji's life are still being searched out and collected in the Shiva-Charitra-Karyalaya founded by the Bharata- Itihasa-Samshodhak Mandal of Poona and important papers bearing on Shivaji's doings are being discovered from day to day. It is, therefore, not yet time, according to many, to write an authentic lifetof this great hero of Maha- rashtra and 1 hesitated for some time to undertake this work suggested to me by Shrimant Balasaheb Pant Prati- nidhi, Chief of Aundh.
    [Show full text]
  • Akbar and His Religious Policy Akbar Is Often Considered As National King
    Akbar and his religious policy Akbar is often considered as national king who united all sections of the people and he is also said to have been secular ruler who kept his personal religious ideas from framing state policies and adopted policy of religious tolerance. There are two questions which primarily arises before the historiens in regard to Akbar’s religious policy: 1. To what extent Akbar’s personal believes had influenced in his state policies? And 2. What was the response of his subjects to his state policies? There are few reasons why Akbar became secular king. 1. He was influenced by teachings of his broad-minded mother, teacher and his relatives. 2. He was influenced by the prominent cultural ethos of timurid polity-YasaE-Chingesi(treating all the religions alike) 3. The increasing presence of Irani nobles at Humayun’s had created an atmosphere for Akbar to learn religious tolerance. 4. His childhood psychology fearing about god shaped his religious outlook. For instance, abul- fazl states, as akbar says” if he had displeased God in any manner, 'may that elephant finish us for we cannot support the burden of life under God's displeasure.'” 5. His personal engagement in Islamized version of greek philosophy through Shaikh Mubaraq and his sons faizi and abul-fazl shaped his religious world outlook through Ibadatkana debates from 1575- 1578. Akbar was, in his early part of reign, following intolerant policies towards non-muslims as the following statements testify: One knows from unimpeachable evidence, including some of Akbar's own sayings recorded after 1581 that in his early years he was not only a practising Muslim but also had a very intolerant attitude htowards Hindus.
    [Show full text]
  • Punjab's Muslims
    63 Anna Bigelow: Punjab’s Muslims Punjab’s Muslims: The History and Significance of Malerkotla Anna Bigelow North Carolina State University ____________________________________________________________ Malerkotla’s reputation as a peaceful Muslim majority town in Punjab is overall true, but the situation today is not merely a modern extension of the past reality. On the contrary, Malerkotla’s history is full of the kind of violent events and complex inter-religious relations more often associated with present-day communal conflicts. This essay is a thick description of the community and culture of Malerkotla that has facilitated the positive inter-religious dynamics, an exploration of the histories that complicate the ideal, and an explanation of why Malerkotla has successfully managed stresses that have been the impetus for violence between religions in South Asia. ________________________________________________________ When the Punjabi town of Malerkotla appears in the news, it is often with headlines such as “Malerkotla: An Island of Peace,” (India Today, July 15, 1998), or “Malerkotla Muslims Feel Safer in India,” (Indian Express, August 13, 1997), or “Where Brotherhood is Handed Down as Tradition” (The Times of India, March 2, 2002). These headlines reflect the sad reality that a peaceful Muslim majority town in Indian Punjab is de facto newsworthy. This is compounded by Malerkotla’s symbolic importance as the most important Muslim majority town in the state, giving the area a somewhat exalted status.1 During a year and a half of research I asked residents whether the town’s reputation as a peaceful place was true and I was assured by most that this reputation is not merely a media or politically driven idealization of the town.
    [Show full text]
  • ANSWERS to the GS QUESTION PAPER -1 HELD on 2Nd JUNE 2019 HISTORY (B) the Major Aim of Land Reforms Was Providing Agricultural Land to All the 1
    ANSWERS TO THE GS QUESTION PAPER -1 HELD ON 2nd JUNE 2019 HISTORY (b) The major aim of land reforms was providing agricultural land to all the 1. With reference to Mughal India, what is/are landless. the difference/differences between Jagirdar (c) It resulted in cultivation of cash crops as and Zamindar? a predominant form of cultivation. 1. Jagirdars were holders of land (d) Land reforms permitted no exemptions assignments in lieu of judicial and police to the ceiling limits. duties, whereas Zamindars were holders of revenue rights without Answer: B obligation to perform any duty other than Major weakness of Land ceiling laws was that revenue collection. they were aimed at individual holdings. It 2. Land assignments to Jagirdars were allowed many zamindars to transfer land hereditary and revenue rights of notionally to their relatives and thus escape the Zamindars were not hereditary. ceiling. The reason for land reforms was Select the correct answer using the code providing land to all landless people given below: (redistribution) because landlessness was (a) 1 only considered as one major reason of poverty and (b) 2 only exploitation. Cultivation of cash crops require (c) Both 1 and 2 much more inputs than mere availability of (d) Neither 1 nor 2 holdings. Cash crops, during British time, were induced by force while in post-independence, Answer: D major transformation for cash crops has During Akbar's period all the territory was happened where capital, market access, broadly divided into two: khalisa and jagir. The technology and irrigation are available. After the revenue from the first went to Imperial treasury Second Plan, a large numbers of exemptions and that from jagir was assigned to jagirdars in kicked in for certain categories of land – lieu of their salary in cash (naqd) according to tea/rubber plantations, orchards, dairying etc to their rank.
    [Show full text]
  • Download [ 5,25 MB ]
    This course material is designed and developed by Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU), New Delhi, Krishna Kanta Handiqui State Open University (KKHSOU), Guwahati and Vidya Mitra(MHRD). BACHELOR OF ARTS (HONOURS) IN HISTORY (BAHI) BHI-09 History of India V (c.1526-1750) BLOCK – 2 CONSOLIDATION OF MUGHAL RULE UNIT-1 INCORPORATION OF RAJPUT’S AND OTHER INDIGENOUS GROUPS IN MUGHAL NOBILITY UNIT-2 MUGHAL ADMINISTRATIVE INSTITUTIONS: ZABTI, MANSAB AND JAGIR, MADAD-I-MAASH UNIT-3 EMERGENCE OF THE MARATHAS; SHIVAJI; EXPANSION UNDER THE PESHWAS UNIT 1: INCORPORATION OF RAJPUT’S AND OTHER INDIGENOUS GROUPS IN MUGHAL NOBILITY Structure 1.0 Objectives 1.1 Introduction 1.2 The Ruling Class under Babur and Humayun 1.3 Development under Akbar 1.4 Composition of the Mughal Ruling Class 1.4.1 Racial and Religious groups 1.4.2 The Foreign Elements – Turanis and Iranis 1.4.3 'The Afghans 1.4.4 Indian Muslims 1.4.5 Rajput’s and Other Hindus 1.4.6 Marathas and other Deccanis 1.5 Organisation of the Ruling Class 1.6 Distribution of Revenue Resources among the Ruling Class 1.7 Life Style of the Ruling Class 1.8 Let Us Sum Up 1.9 Answers to Check Your Progress Exercises 1.0 OBJECTIVES This unit will discuss important features of the structure and working of the Mughal ruling class down to Aurangzeb's period. After reading this unit you will know about the origins and development of the ruling class; understand the racial composition of the ruling class; learn about its organisation; have some idea about the share of the ruling class in the revenue resources of the empire; and be acquainted with the life style of the ruling class.
    [Show full text]
  • Relations Between the British and the Indian States
    THE POWER BEHIND THE THRONE: RELATIONS BETWEEN THE BRITISH AND THE INDIAN STATES 1870-1909 Caroline Keen Submitted for the degree of Ph. D. at the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London, October 2003. ProQuest Number: 10731318 All rights reserved INFORMATION TO ALL USERS The quality of this reproduction is dependent upon the quality of the copy submitted. In the unlikely event that the author did not send a com plete manuscript and there are missing pages, these will be noted. Also, if material had to be removed, a note will indicate the deletion. uest ProQuest 10731318 Published by ProQuest LLC(2017). Copyright of the Dissertation is held by the Author. All rights reserved. This work is protected against unauthorized copying under Title 17, United States C ode Microform Edition © ProQuest LLC. ProQuest LLC. 789 East Eisenhower Parkway P.O. Box 1346 Ann Arbor, Ml 48106- 1346 2 ABSTRACT This thesis explores the manner in which British officials attempted to impose ideas of ‘good government’ upon the Indian states and the effect of such ideas upon the ruling princes of those states. The work studies the crucial period of transition from traditional to modem rule which occurred for the first generation of westernised princes during the latter decades of the nineteenth century. It is intended to test the hypothesis that, although virtually no aspect of palace life was left untouched by the paramount power, having instigated fundamental changes in princely practice during minority rule the British paid insufficient attention to the political development of their adult royal proteges.
    [Show full text]
  • Mughals at War: Babur, Akbar and the Indian Military Revolution, 1500 - 1605
    Mughals at War: Babur, Akbar and the Indian Military Revolution, 1500 - 1605 A Dissertation Presented in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in the Graduate School of The Ohio State University By Andrew de la Garza Graduate Program in History The Ohio State University 2010 Dissertation Committee: John F. Guilmartin, Advisor; Stephen Dale; Jennifer Siegel Copyright by Andrew de la Garza 2010 Abstract This doctoral dissertation, Mughals at War: Babur, Akbar and the Indian Military Revolution, examines the transformation of warfare in South Asia during the foundation and consolidation of the Mughal Empire. It emphasizes the practical specifics of how the Imperial army waged war and prepared for war—technology, tactics, operations, training and logistics. These are topics poorly covered in the existing Mughal historiography, which primarily addresses military affairs through their background and context— cultural, political and economic. I argue that events in India during this period in many ways paralleled the early stages of the ongoing “Military Revolution” in early modern Europe. The Mughals effectively combined the martial implements and practices of Europe, Central Asia and India into a model that was well suited for the unique demands and challenges of their setting. ii Dedication This document is dedicated to John Nira. iii Acknowledgments I would like to thank my advisor, Professor John F. Guilmartin and the other members of my committee, Professors Stephen Dale and Jennifer Siegel, for their invaluable advice and assistance. I am also grateful to the many other colleagues, both faculty and graduate students, who helped me in so many ways during this long, challenging process.
    [Show full text]
  • Mughal Administration and the Zamindars of Bihar
    MUGHAL ADMINISTRATION AND THE ZAMINDARS OF BIHAR ABSTRACT THESIS SUBMITTED FOR THE AWARD OF THE DEGREE OF Boctor of ^fjjlogopf)? r^ - >o- in \ BY TAHIR HUSSAIN ANSARl UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF PROF. AFZAL HUSAIN CENTRE OF ADVANCED STUDY DEPARTMENT OF HISTORY ALIGARH MUSLIM UNIVERSITY ALIGARH 202002 (INDIA) 2008 ABSTRACT In the present Work we have studied the relation of the hereditary chiefs of Bihar with the,. Mughal Imperial authority. The hereditary chiefs were all over Northern India and were known as Zamindar, Kalantaran, buzurg and Marzabans and in the region of Bihar were generally called as Rajas. They played quite an important role in consolidating the Mughal conquest in India. Modem historians such as Moreland, P. Saran, Nurul Hasan and Irfan Habib have discussed in details about their power and position in the Mughal empire. Several others important works on zamindars have also been published in learned journals. Ahsan Raza Khan in particular has made a detailed study of the zamindars of Akbar's reign but so far no detailed study of the zamindars of the suba of Bihar of the Mughal period had been attempted. Therefore in the present work a humble attempt is made to study the relation of the zamindars of Bihar with the Mughal Administration. In the course of study we are able to identify a number of chieftaincies, prominent among them were Kharakpur Raj, the Ujjainias of Bhojpur, the cheros of Palamau, the Kokhra chieftaincy, the Gidhaur chieftaincy, the Darbhanga Raj, the Seor, the Panchet, etc. Some of these chieftaincies were very large having a group of parganas under their sway while others were so small that they held only a part of the pargana.
    [Show full text]