Question

During the Mughals period, the land cultivated by Zamindars was called as a

• A. Sarf-e-khas
• B. Khudkhashat
• C. Zameen
• D. Banjar

Hint:

In the Mughal agrarian system, 'Khudkhashat' represented the personal demesne of the zamindars, directly cultivated by them, distinguishing it from the land from which they collected taxes.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

Step 1: Understand the land tenure system during the Mughal period.
During the Mughal era, various land categories existed, particularly concerning cultivation and revenue collection. Zamindars were intermediaries who collected revenue from peasants on behalf of the state. They also often held personal land.

Step 2: Define the given options in the context of Mughal land administration.
Sarf-e-khas: This term referred to crown lands, the income from which went directly to the imperial treasury.
Khudkhashat (or Khud Kasht): This referred to the land cultivated by the zamindars themselves, with the help of hired labor or their own family members. The term literally means "self-cultivated."
Zameen: This is a general term for land. While zamindars owned land, 'zameen' itself isn't the specific term for land cultivated by them.
Banjar: This term referred to barren or uncultivated land.

Step 3: Conclude the correct option.
The specific term for land cultivated by Zamindars for their personal use, as opposed to land from which they collected revenue, was Khudkhashat.