Q12 of 18 Page 1

Explain the role of zamindars in the Mughal India during 16th -17th century.

OR


Examine the role of Panchayats in the rural society of Mughal Empire.

The role of the zamindars during the 16 and 17 century of the Mughal period is mentioned below:


a) They were landed proprietors who enjoyed a certain social and economic status.


b) They had an elevated status due to the services they performed for the state.


c) They held extensive personal lands which they could even resell.


d) They controlled the military, collected revenue on behalf of the states, and had their own fortresses.


e) They were of the upper caste Brahmin and completely controlled the village society.


f) A few people of the lower caste also entered into zamindari system.


g) The buying and selling of zamindari accelerated the process of monetization in the countryside.


h) Rajputs also decided to adopt various strategies to consolidate power in the Northern part of the country.


i) The disposition of vehicle people was another way to spend the zamindari


The role of Mughal panchayat is mentioned below:


a) The village panchayat consisted of many elders who had hereditary rights.


b) if a village had many castes in it, the panchayat was a heterogeneous group of people.


c) The leader of the panchayat was a head man called the muqaddam or Mandal. He was chosen by the consensus of the elders and zamindars.


d) He held the office as long as he enjoys the confidence of the other villagers.


e)He had the responsibility for the maintenance of village accounts assisted by the accountant or Patwari.


f) The fund for the panchayat was from the common financial pool. It made the finances required for digging a canal and other welfare activities for the community as a whole.


g) It also had the authority to levy fines and inspect any punishment in case of a crime conducted. It also insured the conduct of the members of the village community


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Read the following excerpt carefully and answer the questions that follow:

THE MOST ANCIENT SYSTEM YET DISCOVERED


About the drains, Mackay noted: “It is certainly the most complete ancient System as yet discovered.” Every house was connected to the street drains. The main channels were made of bricks set in mortar.


They were covered with loose bricks that could be removed for cleaning. In some cases, limestone was used for the covers. House drains first emptied into a sump or cesspit into which solid matter settled while wastewater flowed out into the street drains. Very long drainage channels were provided at intervals with sumps for Cleaning. It is a wonder of archaeology that “little heaps of material, mostly sand, have frequently been found lying alongside drainage channels, which shows… that the debris was not always carted away when the drain was cleared.” From Ernest Mackay, Early Indus Civilization, 1948 drainage systems were not unique to the larger cities but were found in smaller settlements as well. At Lothal for example, while houses were built of mud bricks, drains were made from burnt bricks.


i. Why has MacKay described this system as complete ancient


drainage system?


ii. Was the drainage system similar in large & small settlements of of Harappa? Support your answer with Facts.


iii. How were the drains covered?