Question

Consider the following statements about the agrarian system under the Delhi Sultanate and Mughal empire:

1. Alauddin Khilji imposed taxes called charai and ghari.

2. Muhammad bin Tughlaq imposed additional cesses called abwabs on the peasants.

3. Under Akbar, dahsala system of land revenue existed.

4. Jahangir introduced the nasq system of assessment.

Which of the above statements are correct?

1. 1, 2, 3 and 4
2. 1, 2 and 3 only
3. 2 and 3 only
4. 1 and 4 only

Answer 1

Correct Answer - Option 2 : 1, 2 and 3 only

The correct answer is 1, 2 and 3 only.

• The agrarian system under the Delhi Sultanate and Mughal empire:
  • Alauddin Khilji imposed taxes called charai and ghari.
  • Muhammad bin Tughlaq imposed additional cesses called abwabs on the peasants.
  • Under Akbar, dahsala system of land revenue existed.
  • Akbar introduced the nasq system of assessment.
  • Nsaq—This system of assessment was widely used in Akbar's time. It meant a rough calculation of the amount payable by the peasant on the basis of past experience. The peasant was given remission in the land revenue if crops failed on account of drought, floods, etc.

 

• Important Keywords during Medieval India
  • Amils– Revenue officers
  • Arz-i-mamalik– Minister-in-charge of the army of the whole country.
  • Ahl-i-qalam– Reporter
  • Baqqal– Trader, grain-dealer
  • Batai– Division of the crop between the cultivator and landlord or the government, payments may be in kind or cash
  • Barid- An intelligence officer appointed by the state to collect information
  • Chachar– Land out of cultivation for 3-4 years.
  • Chauth or Chauthaai– One-fourth of the land revenue, originally a Zamindari charge in Gujrat demanded by Shivaji as a war expense.
  • Charai– A tax on cattle.
  • Dagh System– A system of branding of horses and animal.
  • Dam- A copper coin considered as 1/40* the silver rupee for official purposes.
  • Dastur-al-amal- Rule book
  • Dhimmi-  A non-Muslim client or subject
  • Darul Mulk- Capital
  • Gumashta- An agent or representative
  • Hamam– A room for the bath of hot and cold water
  • Hundi- A bill of exchange
  • Jamabandi– Settlement of the amount of revenue assessed upon an estate or district
  • Jarib– A measurement, land measurement or survey
  • Jihat– Extra cesses
  • Jizya– In the literature of Delhi sultanate, any tax which is not kharaj or land tax and tax on non-muslim.
  • Paibaqi- Land reserved for allotment in jagir
  • Polaj- Land continuously in cultivation
  • Sarrafs– Money Chargers, bankers
  • Saurghal-Rent-free land
  • Taqavi- Advance of money for sowing or extending cultivation
  • Upari- Temporary occupant; tenant at will.
  • Usar- Barren land
  • Zawabit- Secular laws.