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Class 12 History Chapter 9 Peasants, Zamindars and the State (Peasant Society and the Mughal Empire, 16th–17th Century)
Selected Questions & Answers
A. Very Short Answer Questions: (Marks for each – 1)
1. What is the name of the famous book written by Abul Fazl, the historian of Akbar’s court?
Ans: Ain-i-Akbari.
2. What percentage of India’s population lived in villages during the 16th–17th centuries?
Ans: 85 percent.
3. What term was used to denote peasants during the Mughal period?
Ans: Raiyat or Muzarian.
4. Which peasants were regarded as rich?
Ans: Peasants who possessed 10 acres of land.
5. What percentage of India was covered with forests in the seventeenth century?
Ans: 40 percent.
6. Who was called the Muqaddam or Mandal?
Ans: The head of the Panchayat was called the Muqaddam or Mandal.
7. Who were the Malhajdars?
Ans: Descendants of boatmen.
8. When and where did the cultivation of tobacco begin in India?
Ans: In the early seventeenth century in South India.
9. Which Mughal emperor prohibited the use of tobacco?
Ans: Mughal Emperor Jahangir.
10. During whose reign was the Shah Nahar canal dug in Punjab?
Ans: During the reign of Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan.
11. What is the meaning of the word ‘Khidmat’?
Ans: Service.
12. Which Mughal emperor initiated land measurement?
Ans: Mughal Emperor Akbar.
13. What is meant by ‘Majur’?
Ans: During the Mughal period, people engaged in agricultural labour were called ‘Majur.’
14. Which Mughal emperor first reformed the revenue system?
Ans: Emperor Akbar carried out revenue reforms through Todar Mal.
15. Who introduced the Mansabdari system?
Ans: Mughal Emperor Akbar.
16. What is the name of Babur’s autobiographical work?
Ans: Baburnama.
17. What were money changers called during the Mughal period?
Ans: Saraf.
18. Who were called ‘Jangli’ during the Mughal period?
Ans: People who sustained their livelihood through hunting and shifting cultivation were called ‘Jangli.’
19. What was the backbone of the economy during the Mughal period?
Ans: Land revenue and agriculture.
20. When was the compilation of Ain-i-Akbari completed?
Ans: In 1598 CE.
21. Who edited and translated Ain-i-Akbari into English?
Ans: Henry Blochmann and H. S. Jarrett.
22. Who wrote Ain-i-Akbari? H. S. ’18
Ans: Abul Fazl.
23. Who was the author of Akbarnama? H. S. ’16
Ans: Abul Fazl.
24. Who introduced the Permanent Settlement in Bengal? H. S. ’18
Ans: Lord Cornwallis.
25. In which year did railway service begin in India? H. S. ’18
Ans: On 16 April 1853.
26. Who assassinated Mahatma Gandhi? H. S. ’18
Ans: Nathuram Godse.
27. Who coined the term ‘Pakistan’? H. S. ’18
Ans: Chaudhry Rahmat Ali coined the term ‘Pakistan.’
28. What is ‘Tamilakam’? H. S. ’18
Ans: The term ‘Tamilakam’ refers to ancient Tamil Nadu.
B. Short Answer Questions: (Marks for each – 2)
1. Into how many categories were peasants divided in the 17th–18th centuries, and what were they?
Ans: In the 17th–18th centuries, peasants were divided into two categories: Khudkasht and Pahikasht. Those who had their own agricultural land were called Khudkasht, and those who did not possess land were called Pahikasht. The Pahikasht cultivated land on a contractual basis.
2. What is meant by the ‘Persian Wheel system’?
Ans: The Persian Wheel system was a method used during the Mughal period to supply water to agricultural fields. It was made of wood, ropes, and earthen pots. By this method, it became easier to draw water from deep wells.
3. What were the two main categories of crops during the Mughal period?
Ans: Kharif crops and Rabi crops.
4. Which crops were widely cultivated during the Mughal period?
Ans: Mainly Kharif and Rabi crops were cultivated. Among them, rice, cotton, sugarcane, mustard, sesame, autumn rice, tomato, chilli, papaya, cashew nut, tobacco, and maize were prominent.
5. What is meant by ‘Jins-i-Kamil’?
Ans: It means superior or best quality crops, for example, cotton and sugarcane.
6. From where was maize introduced into India?
Ans: From Africa and Spain.
7. What is meant by the ‘Jajmani system’? H. S. ’16
Ans: Under this system, zamindars provided daily allowances and food to artisans such as blacksmiths, carpenters, and even goldsmiths. This arrangement was known as the Jajmani system.
8. Which crops were considered commercial crops during the Mughal period?
Ans: Cotton, silk, and indigo.
9. How did women assist men in agricultural activities during the Mughal period?
Ans: Women assisted by sowing, harvesting, weeding, and cleaning the crops.
10. What products were produced by the Janglis during the Mughal period?
Ans: Honey, wax, lac, and resin.
11. What is meant by ‘Milkiyat’? H. S. ’17, ’18
Ans: During the Mughal period, extensive private lands owned by zamindars were called ‘Milkiyat.’
12. Into what two parts was land revenue divided during the Mughal period?
Ans: Land revenue was divided into Jama and Hasil. ‘Jama’ meant the assessed revenue, and “Hasil” meant the actual amount collected.
13. Why did Mughal officials want to keep the agrarian society under their control?
Ans: The principal source of royal income during the Mughal period wasl and revenue derived from agriculture. Therefore, officials wanted to keepthe agrarian society under their control.
14. Mention two causes of the Santhal Rebellion. H. S. ’16
Ans: Two causes of the Santhal rebellion were:
(a) Exploitation by the zamindars, and
(b) The government’s neglect of the problems of the Santhals.
15. In which year was the Survey Department of India established? How did the maps prepared during the colonial period reflect Britishbias? H. S. ’19
Ans: The Survey Department of India was established in 1767. The maps prepared by the British often did not mark the large settlements of poor people. This indicated that the government did not attach importance to these areas. By not marking such settlements, it became easier to exclude them from developmental plans. Later, when development schemes were undertaken, poor people were evicted from those unmarked areas. Thus, British-prepared maps reflected their administrative bias.
16. How did Abul Fazl describe Akbar’s court? H. S. ’20
Ans: Abul Fazl was a courtier, poet, military strategist, and historian of Mughal Emperor Akbar. He wrote two historical works, Akbarnama and Aini-Akbari. These works contain detailed accounts of Akbar’s administrative and religious policies, along with a vivid description of his court. Abul Fazl wrote that Akbar’s court was the most magnificent in the whole of India. Akbar established his capital at Agra and built beautiful palaces there. He also founded a city named Fatehpur Sikri. His court included not only Muslim officials but also many Hindu nobles. At a place called the Ibadat Khana, Akbar held religious discussions with scholars of different faiths.
17. Who introduced “Jharokha Darshan”? How was it observed? H. S. ’19
Ans: The Mughal emperors used to appear in the eastern balcony of the royal palace in the morning after devotional recitations and praise of the Almighty. This balcony was called the ‘Jharokha.’ Many people gathered thereto have a glimpse of the emperor. Among them were soldiers, traders, peasants, artisans, and even sick people. From this balcony, the emperor granted audience to the people. This practice was known as “Jharokha Darshan.” It is said to have been introduced during the reign of Mughal Emperor Akbar.
C. Medium Answer Questions: (Marks for each – 4)
1. Write about the Kankut and Batai systems.
Ans: During the Mughal period, the methods of revenue collection were called ‘Kankut’ and ‘Batai.’ ‘Kan’ means grain, and ‘kut’ means estimation. That is, revenue was assessed on the basis of estimation or assessment. Again, ‘Batai’ means cutting the crops and collecting them at one place. Later, in the presence of all concerned parties, the produce was divided into shares.
2. Write the names of two instruments used for drawing water from wells during the Mughal period.
Ans: The two instruments used for drawing water from wells during the Mughal period were the wooden lever device (Dhenki-like device) and the Persian wheel.
3. Write two drawbacks of the book Ain-i-Akbari, written by Abul Fazl.
Ans: According to historians, two drawbacks of the book Ain-i-Akbari are:
(a) The information included in it was mainly based on the regions around Delhi. Information from distant provinces was not properly collected. As a result, the data became one-sided.
(b) In the matter of wages and prices of commodities, the information was determined mainly on the basis of Agra and its surrounding areas. Therefore, these details were not equally applicable to all places or provinces.
4. Mention the four categories of land during the Mughal period. H. S. ’15
Ans: In 1582 CE, Akbar carried out revenue reforms through Todar Mal. According to Akbar’s instructions, land was divided into four categories on the basis of productivity. These were:
(a) Parauti: Land which, after being cultivated for some years, was left fallow for a certain period to regain fertility.
(b) Polaj: Land which was cultivated every year.
(c) Chachar: Land which was left uncultivated for three to four years.
(d) Banjar: Land which remained uncultivated for five years. Again, Polaj land was divided into three categories on the basis of productivity—good, medium, and inferior. Every peasant possessed these three types of land. One-third of the produce from the three types of land was fixed as revenue.
5. Who were called ‘Little Republics’?
Ans: Nineteenth-century British officials described Indian villages as’Little Republics.’ They observed that in villages, resources and labour were distributed collectively in a spirit of brotherhood. However, this was not a symbol of equality. In the villages, private ownership of property and inequalities based on caste and gender were clearly visible. Some influential
persons took the lead in settling village disputes and exploiting the poor. Even the power of dispensing justice was in their hands.
6. What is meant by ‘Caste Panchayat’?
Ans: In medieval India, apart from the village panchayat, there were separate caste panchayats among different castes. These caste panchayats tried to solve various social and civil disputes within their respective communities. The caste panchayats of Rajasthan were particularly strong. They settled civil cases, land-related disputes, and marriage-related disputes.
7. What were ‘Qasbah’ and ‘Ganj’? H. S. ’17
Ans: ‘Qasbah’ was an urban settlement that developed during the Mughal period. These were established by local influential persons or royal officials. On the other hand, ‘Ganj’ referred to certain commercial centres that developed during the Mughal period. In such centres, various kinds of food items and dairy products were produced. These goods were supplied to the royal family and the army.
D. Descriptive Answer Type Questions: (Marks for each – 6)
1. Discuss the revenue system of the Mughal period.
Ans: The administrative system and policies of the Mughal Empire, founded by Babur, attained stability during the reign of Akbar. Akbar formulated the revenue policy for the empire with the help of his finance minister, Todar Mal. According to Akbar’s instructions, Todar Mal divided land into four categories on the basis of productivity. These were:
(a) Parauti: Land which, after being cultivated for some years, was left fallow for a period to regain fertility.
(b) Polaj: Land which was cultivated every year.
(c) Chachar: Land which remained uncultivated for three to four years.
(d) Banjar: Land which remained uncultivated for five years.
Polaj land was further divided into good, medium, and inferior categories according to productivity. Every peasant possessed these three types of land. One-third of the total produce from the three types of land was fixed as revenue.
For convenience in revenue collection, the empire was divided into twelve subas (provinces). The subas were further divided into smaller administrative units, each placed under an official. In every suba, a Diwan was appointed. The Diwan supervised all matters relating to revenue in the province. After deducting necessary expenses from the collected revenue, the remaining amount was sent to the central treasury.
During the Mughal period, land revenue was divided into two parts—Jamaand Hasil. ‘Jama’ meant the assessed revenue, and ‘Hasil’ meant the actual amount of revenue collected.
2. Discuss the role of the zamindars during the Mughal period.
Ans: During the Mughal period, the zamindars played an important role in production and revenue collection. The emperor granted them rights overland in return for special services and the promise of revenue collection. The zamindars cultivated large tracts of land received from the emperor with the help of labourers. According to need, they could also sell such land. Peasants had to cultivate land under the zamindars. A considerable portion of the produce had to be paid by the peasants as rent or revenue to the zamindars. The zamindars also maintained their own armed forces. The Ain-i-Akbari mentions that during Akbar’s reign, there were 384,558 cavalrymen under the control of the zamindars. With the help of powerful military chiefs, zamindars often dispossessed poor peasants of their lands and expanded their own holdings.
Because of their influence, zamindars occupied a high position in society. Many times they collected revenue by oppressing peasants. In general, they exploited the peasants. However, some zamindars also took measures for the development of agriculture. For example, they arranged irrigation facilities in agricultural fields.
3. Write a note on the book Ain-i-Akbari. H. S. ’15
Ans: The book Ain-i-Akbari was written by Abul Fazl, a courtier of Mughal Emperor Akbar, under the emperor’s instructions. It is an important historical document of the Mughal period. The book records Akbar’s administrative policies, revenue system, religious policy, and geographical conditions, and also reflects various aspects of neighbouring kingdoms. Abul Fazl spent more than forty years in preparing this work. He revised the book five times. The Ain-i-Akbari can be divided into three parts. The first part contains an account of Akbar’s activities from his birth up to the year 1572.
The second part deals with Akbar’s political activities from the age of thirty-one to forty-six and also throws light on his personal life. The third part discusses the agricultural system, natural environment, and natural resources of the Mughal Empire, and also gives information about the lifestyle of the Hindus.
From a historical point of view, the Ain-i-Akbari is very important, though it is not free from defects. Since it was written from a royal perspective, it does not present a complete picture of the common people.
4. Write a note on the Mughal nobility. H. S. ’17
Ans: The Mughal nobility was a composite class. It consisted of people belonging to different races and religions. About 40 percent of them were Hindus. The Mughal emperors formed this class very carefully so that they could not unite against the emperor or harm the empire. They had to express deep loyalty to the emperor.
In Akbar’s court, the Hindu scholar Todar Mal, the witty Birbal, and Raja Man Singh of Amber exercised considerable influence. Besides them, officials such as the Qanungo, Qazi, and Chaudhuri were also included in the noble class. They assisted the emperor in administering the empire. Apart from various Indian communities, the Mughal nobility also included Iranians, Turks, Kurds, Tatars, Russians, and Abyssinians. They enjoyed special royal privileges and lived an aristocratic and luxurious life.
