Question

What did a person get when he was given a jagir by the Mughal emperor?
1. Salary
2. Grant of landed property
3. A high office
4. A revenue assignment

Answer 1

Correct Answer - Option 4 : A revenue assignment

The correct answer is A revenue assignment.

• JAGIRDAR SYSTEM
  • The 'Jagirdar' word is derived by combining two Persian words 'jagir' which means 'holding land' and 'dar' which means 'official'.
  • The system started in the early 13th century in the Indian subcontinent.
  • The system developed during the Islamic rule (Delhi Sultanate and the Mughal period) and continued during the subsequent rulers in India.
  • Jagir was a feudal land grant given by the Mughal emperor.
  • Under this system, the powers to govern and collect tax from an estate were given to an official (jagirdar) appointed by the state.
  • During Emperor Akbar's reign, the Mansabdars received their salary from the revenue collected by the Mughal empire from the jagirs allotted to them. 
  • The two types of jagir were - conditional jagir and unconditional jagir. In the case of the conditional jagir, the governing family had to maintain troops and provide their service to the state whenever required. Also, the jagir was reverted back to the state after the death of the jagirdar. It could still be retained by the heir by renewing it payment of a fee.

• The land was given only for the collection of revenue in the jagirdari system.
• During the Delhi Sultanate period, the 'jagir' was known as 'iqta' and the 'jagirdar' was known as 'iqtadar'.
• The system was abolished by Sultan Ala-ud-din Khilji but later revived by Sultan Firuz Shah Tughluq.
• The system has greatly contributed to the weakening of the Mughal state. 
• The Nawab of Arcot (in present-day Tamil Nadu), Muhammad Ali, gave a jagir to the East India Company which later became the nucleus of the Madras Presidency.