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Peasants, Zamindars And The State
How village panchayats were organised during Mughal period? What was the position of head of the panchayat?
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Explain the composition of the village panchayat.
Organisation:Village Panchayat was the assembly of elders of the village. Generally these elders were those important persons of village who had hereditary rights over their property. Panchayat was generally a heterogeneous body in mixed caste village. It was that oligarchy in which all the castes and communities of village were given representation. Decision of the panchayat was binding on all the members of the village.
Status of Headman:Headman of panchayat was known as Muqaddam or Mandal. Some sources suggest that headman was elected by mutual consent of village elders. This choice had to be approved by the zamindar. Headman could have “been remained in his office until he enjoyed the confidence of village elders unless he could be dismissed by them. His main function was to supervise the preparation of village accounts and he was assisted by Patwari of the village.
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Discuss the ways in which panchayats and village headmen regulated rural society.
On an outline map of the world, mark the areas which had economic links with the Mughal Empire, and trace out possible routes of communication.
Visit a neighbouring village. Find out how many people live there, which crops are grown, which animals are raised, which artisanal groups reside
there, whether women own land, how the local panchayat functions. Compare this information with what you have learnt about the sixteenth-
seventeenth centuries, noting similarities and differences. Explain both the changes and the continuities that you find.
How were the village artisans compensated by the villagers for their services? Write about any one.
How did the zamindars derive their power during the Mughal period? Mention any two ways.
What was Jati Panchayat? State any two of its functions.
Why had an artificial system of irrigation to be devised in India during sixteenth and seventeenth centuries ? Mention one such system.
Define the following terms : Polaj and Parati lands.
Why were women considered an important resource in agrarian society? Mention two reasons.
Mention two factors for enjoying social and economic privileges by the zamindars in the Mughal India.
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