With reference to Mughal India, what is/are the difference/differences between Jagirdar and Zamindar?
1. 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.
2. Land assignments to Jagirdars were hereditary and revenue rights of Zamindars were not hereditary.
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
Explanation
Statement 1 is incorrect: In Mughal administration, Jagirdars were allocated the fiscal right to collect land revenue (jagir) primarily in lieu of cash salary for maintaining stipulated military contingents (zat and sawar ranks) and administrative duties. Judicial and policing responsibilities at the local grassroots level were traditionally maintained by local Faujdars, Kotwals, and resident Zamindars.
Statement 2 is incorrect: Jagir assignments were strictly non-hereditary and frequently transferable (often transferred every three to four years) to prevent nobles from entrenching autonomous local roots. In contrast, Zamindari rights were hereditary (milkiyat) and rooted in long-standing customary landholding claims.
Therefore, neither statement is correct — Option D.