Examine the role played by zamindars in Mughal India.

The zamindars were that class of the people who did not directly participate in the processes of agricultural production. They enjoyed an elevated status in society.

(i)    The zamindars were the proprietors of their land. They considered their land as their property (milkiyat). They could sell, give and mortgage it. They enjoyed many social and economic privileges because of their superior status in society.

(ii)    The zamindars belonged to the upper caste. It added to their exalted status in society.

(iii)    The zamindars rendered certain services (khidmat) for the state. So they got respect and position in the state.

(iv)    The zamindars became very powerful because they collected revenue on bahalf of the state. They also got financial compensation for this work.

(v)    Another source for the power of zamindars in society was their control over the military resources. They kept a fortress as well as an armed unit comprising cavalry, artillery and infantry.

(vi)    The zamindars played an important role in inhabiting and developing the agricultural land. They helped in the settlements of farmers by lending them money and agricultural instruments. Because of the sale and purchase of land by the zamindars, the market became quite brisk. Besides the zamindars used to sell the crops grown on their land. There are evidences that the zamindars held bazaars where even the farmers came to sell their crops.

(vii)    If we observe social relations of villages of Mughal age, as a pyramid then zamindars were at the top i.e. their place was the highest.

(viii)    There is no doubt in the fact that the zamindars belonged to an exploitative class. But their relations with the farmers depended on their mutual togetherness and hereditary patronage. That’s why zamindars often got support of peasants in case of their revolt against the state.