Question

Which of the following statements are true about the zamindars?
(A) Milkiyat lands were cultivated for the general use of the people.
(B) Zamindars could sell, bequeath or mortgage milkiyat lands.
(C) Zamindars collected revenue for themselves.
(D) Most Zamindars had fortresses and armed contingents.
(E) Control over military resources was a source of power for the Zamindars.

• A. (A), (D) and (E) only
• B. (C), (D) and (E) only
• C. (A), (B) and (C) only
• D. (B), (D) and (E) only

Answer 1

The Correct Option is D

To determine which statements about the zamindars are true, let's analyze each statement: 

1. (A) Milkiyat lands were cultivated for the general use of the people. - False. Milkiyat lands were private holdings of the zamindars, not necessarily for general use.
2. (B) Zamindars could sell, bequeath or mortgage milkiyat lands. - True. Zamindars had rights over their milkiyat lands, including the ability to sell or mortgage them.
3. (C) Zamindars collected revenue for themselves. - False. While zamindars were involved in collecting revenue, it was often for the state or ruling authority, although they retained a portion.
4. (D) Most Zamindars had fortresses and armed contingents. - True. They possessed fortresses and had their own armed forces, which provided them autonomy and power.
5. (E) Control over military resources was a source of power for the Zamindars. - True. Their control over military resources was a significant power base.

The correct answer is therefore: (B), (D) and (E) only.

Answer 2

The correct statements about the zamindars are:

(B) Zamindars could sell, bequeath or mortgage milkiyat lands. This is correct; milkiyat lands were personal lands of zamindars, which they could sell, lease, or mortgage freely.

(D) Most Zamindars had fortresses and armed contingents. This is correct; many zamindars maintained fortresses and private armies, including cavalry, infantry, and artillery.

(E) Control over military resources was a source of power for the Zamindars. This is correct; their military resources and armed contingents were key sources of their power during the Mughal period.

The incorrect statement is:

(A) Milkiyat lands were cultivated for the general use of the people. This is incorrect; milkiyat lands were cultivated for the private use of zamindars, not for general public use.

(C) Zamindars collected revenue for themselves. This is incorrect; zamindars collected revenue from their milkiyat lands as a proxy for the British administration .