With reference to Mughal India, what is/are the difference/differences between Jagirdar and Zamindar

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UPSC Prelims is a competitive examination conducted in India. This question is from the 2019 UPSC Prelims History paper.

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Question

With reference to Mughal India, what is/are the difference/differences between Jagirdar and Zamindar?Jagirdars were holders of land assignments in lieu of judicial and police duties, whereas Zamindars were holders of revenue rights without obligation to perform any duty other than revenue collection.Land assignments to Jagirdars were hereditary and revenue rights of Zamindars were not hereditary.Select the correct answer using the code given below.

Accepted Answer

Correct Answer: D — Neither 1 nor 2Step-by-step Solution:Statement 1 — Jagirdars held land in lieu of judicial/police duties; Zamindars had revenue rights only: This is incorrect. Jagirdars were Mansabdars (holders of military rank in the Mughal system) who were paid their salary not in cash but through assignment of land revenues — these assignments were called jagirs. The jagir was given in lieu of military service (not judicial or police duties). Judicial and police functions at the local level were actually performed by Zamindars — not Jagirdars. The statement has the roles reversed. ✗Statement 2 — Jagir assignments were hereditary; Zamindari rights were not: This is incorrect — again, it is reversed. Key feature of the jagir system: Jagirs were NOT hereditary — they were transferable and could be seized. An important characteristic was the systematic rotation of jagirdars from one jagir to another, preventing them from developing local roots. In contrast, Zamindars were hereditary — their revenue rights were passed down through generations. Zamindars had deep local roots and hereditary claims to their territories. ✗Correct distinction: Jagirdars = Mansabdars (military officials) paid through non-hereditary, transferable land revenue assignments (jagirs); Zamindars = local hereditary revenue collectors with judicial/police powers, who paid a fixed revenue to the Mughal state and retained a share for themselves.Key Concept: Mughal Agrarian System: Mansabdari system — all officers (mansabdars) ranked by zat (personal rank) and sawar (cavalry rank); paid either in cash (naqdi) or through jagir assignment. Jagir — transferable land revenue assignment to a mansabdar; revenue collected by jagirdar goes to him as salary; jagir crisis in late Mughal period when jagirs became scarce relative to demands. Zamindari — hereditary local power holders who collected revenue, performed local administration, maintained order; paid a fixed share to Mughal state (mal); retained a share (nankar). The two systems were separate — Zamindars predated the Mughals and existed as a layer between the state and cultivators.

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