Question

Which of the following lands was kept fallow for three to four years during Akbar's period?

• A. Polaj
• B. Chachar
• C. Parauti
• D. Banjar

Hint:

To remember this classification easily, associate them with their fallow duration:
• Polaj: $0$ years fallow (continuous)
• Parauti: $1$ to $2$ years fallow
• Chachar: $3$ to $4$ years fallow
• Banjar: $5+$ years fallow

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

Step 1: Akbar's Land Classification System:
Under Emperor Akbar's land revenue administration (implemented by his fince minister Raja Todar Mal and detailed in Abu'l Fazl's Ain-i-Akbari), agricultural land was classified into four distinct categories based on its cultivation frequency and fertility to determine appropriate tax rates:
• Polaj (A): Highly fertile land that was cultivated continuously every year for each harvest and was never left fallow.
• Parauti (C): Land left uncultivated (fallow) for a brief period (usually one or two years) to help it recover its tural strength and fertility.
• Chachar (B): Land that was left fallow for a longer period, specifically three to four years, before being sown again.
• Banjar (D): Low-quality, sterile land that had lain uncultivated for five years or longer.

Step 2: Conclusion:
The land kept fallow for three to four years is classified as Chachar, which corresponds to option (B).