Write a note on the land revenue administration under the Mughals.

The land revenue administration under the Mughals was a crucial component of their imperial governance, and it underwent significant evolution over the course of their dynasty. The Mughal emperors developed a complex system to efficiently collect revenue from agricultural lands, which formed the backbone of their economic structure.

1. Origins and Early Practices:

• The foundation of the Mughal land revenue system can be traced back to the Farghana region of Central Asia, where Babur, the founder of the Mughal Empire, had experience with revenue administration.
• Initially, the Mughals followed the prevalent practices in the Indian subcontinent, integrating some Persian and Central Asian elements into the existing systems.

2. Zabt System under Akbar:

• Akbar, the third Mughal emperor, implemented the Zabt system, a significant departure from previous revenue practices. Instituted around 1580, Zabt aimed to provide a fixed assessment of land revenue to reduce the burden on the peasantry.
• Under the Zabt system, revenue officials, known as the Zabtadar, were responsible for assessing and collecting revenue. The assessment was based on a careful measurement of cultivated land and the quality of the soil.
• The revenue demand was fixed for a specific period, usually ten years, providing stability to both the peasants and the imperial treasury.

3. Todar Mal's Bandobast and Dahsala System:

• Todar Mal, Akbar's finance minister, introduced the Dahsala system, a modification of the Zabt system. It involved classifying the cultivated lands into three categories based on fertility, and each category had a fixed revenue rate.
• The Bandobast was another innovation by Todar Mal, which involved a thorough survey and measurement of land to determine its revenue potential.

4. Jagir System:

• The Mughals also employed the Jagir system, where revenue assignments were given to nobles or military officers in lieu of a salary. However, this system was not primarily a revenue collection method; instead, it was a form of salary and a means to maintain a standing army without a strain on the imperial treasury.

5. Agricultural Prosperity and Revenue Reforms:

• Under Jahangir and Shah Jahan, the Mughal Empire experienced a period of agricultural prosperity. The cultivation of cash crops like cotton and indigo expanded, contributing to increased revenue.
• Shah Jahan, in particular, implemented reforms to enhance revenue collection efficiency. The Ain-i-Akbari, compiled by Abu'l-Fazl, provided detailed information about the revenue administration during Akbar's reign.

6. Decline and Maratha Influence:

• The later Mughal emperors faced challenges, and the revenue system began to deteriorate. Inefficiencies, corruption, and weak central authority contributed to a decline in revenue collection.
• The Marathas, emerging as a powerful force in the Deccan, adopted a different revenue system based on direct cultivation and played a significant role in challenging Mughal authority in certain regions.

7. Legacy:

• Despite its challenges, the Mughal land revenue system left a lasting impact on the Indian subcontinent. The basic principles of fixed assessment, revenue classification based on land quality, and periodic surveys influenced subsequent revenue systems implemented by various colonial and post-colonial administrations.

In conclusion, the Mughal land revenue administration underwent several transformations, from the Zabt and Dahsala systems under Akbar to the decline in efficiency during the later years. The system played a pivotal role in shaping the economic structure of the Mughal Empire and left a legacy that influenced subsequent revenue administration practices in the Indian subcontinent.