The correct answer is option 'C', Zamindars.

Zamindars were landlords or landowners who held significant power and control over the land and the people living on it in rural villages during the colonial era in India. Jotedars, on the other hand, were a subcategory of Zamindars who held a higher position in the social hierarchy and had more power and influence.

1. Power dynamics in villages:
In traditional Indian villages, power was concentrated in the hands of a few individuals or families who owned and controlled the majority of the land. These individuals, known as Zamindars, had authority over the economic and social aspects of village life. They collected rent from the farmers and had the power to evict them if they failed to meet their obligations.

2. Role of Jotedars:
Within the Zamindar class, Jotedars held a higher position and enjoyed even more power and influence. They were considered the elite landowners and had control over large tracts of agricultural land. They had the authority to sublet or lease the land to farmers and collect rent from them. Jotedars often accumulated vast wealth and lived a luxurious lifestyle.

3. Influence on the economy:
Both Zamindars and Jotedars played a crucial role in the rural economy. They controlled the means of production, including land and labor. The farmers, who were the primary producers, were dependent on the Zamindars and Jotedars for land and other resources. They had to pay a significant portion of their harvest as rent or sharecropping to the Jotedars, which often left them in a state of poverty and indebtedness.

4. Social and political control:
The power of the Jotedars extended beyond economic control. They also held significant social and political influence in the village. They often acted as intermediaries between the local community and the colonial administration. Jotedars had the power to settle disputes, enforce their own rules and regulations, and exert control over the daily lives of the villagers.

5. Impact on farmers:
The dominance of Jotedars and Zamindars in the villages had a detrimental impact on the farmers. They were subjected to exploitation, forced labor, and high rents, which often pushed them into a cycle of poverty and indebtedness. The Jotedars had the authority to evict farmers from the land, leaving them with no means of livelihood.

In conclusion, the power of Jotedars was more effective than that of Zamindars, landowners, feudal lords, and farmers in rural villages in colonial India. They held more authority, control, and influence over land, resources, and the lives of the villagers.