They were also called ‘Muzarian’ in the Indo- PersiansourcesoftheMugh...
Option (a) is the correct answer.
The term, which Indo-Persian sources of the Mughal period most frequently used to denote a peasant, was raiyat (plural, riaya) or muzarian. In addition, the terms kisan or asami were also used. Sources of the seventeenth century refer to two kinds of peasants – khud-kashta and pahi-kashta.
Khud-kashta were residents of the village in which they held their lands. Pahi- Kashta were non-resident cultivators who belonged to some other village, but cultivated lands elsewhere on a contractual basis. People became pahi-kashta either out of choice, for example, when terms of revenue in a distant village were more favourable or out of compulsion, for example, forced by economic distress after a famine.
They were also called ‘Muzarian’ in the Indo- PersiansourcesoftheMugh...
Introduction:
The term 'Muzarian' was used to refer to a specific group of people during the Mughal period. They were categorized into two types - Khud-Kashta and Pahi-Kashta. The correct answer to the question is option 'A', which states that they were peasants.
Explanation:
Here is a detailed explanation of why the correct answer is option 'A' - peasants:
1. Definition of Muzarian:
- The term 'Muzarian' was derived from the Persian word 'Muzar', which means a peasant or cultivator.
- In the Indo-Persian sources of the Mughal period, these people were referred to as 'Muzarian'.
2. Two Types of Muzarians:
- The Muzarians were classified into two types - Khud-Kashta and Pahi-Kashta.
2.1 Khud-Kashta:
- Khud-Kashta Muzarians were self-cultivating peasants who owned and cultivated their land.
- They were independent farmers who worked on their own land and were responsible for their own agricultural activities.
- These peasants were considered to be the backbone of the agrarian economy during the Mughal period.
- They were responsible for growing crops, such as wheat, barley, rice, and pulses, which formed the staple diet of the people.
2.2 Pahi-Kashta:
- Pahi-Kashta Muzarians were tenants or sharecroppers who cultivated the land owned by others.
- They did not own the land they cultivated but worked on it in exchange for a share of the produce or a fixed rent.
- These peasants were bound to the landowners and had to pay a portion of their harvest as rent.
- Pahi-Kashta Muzarians were often economically weaker than Khud-Kashta peasants and had to work under the supervision of the landowners.
Conclusion:
The Muzarians, also known as 'Muzarian' in the Indo-Persian sources of the Mughal period, were primarily peasants. They were of two types - Khud-Kashta and Pahi-Kashta. While Khud-Kashta peasants owned and cultivated their land independently, Pahi-Kashta peasants worked as tenants or sharecroppers on the land owned by others. These peasants played a crucial role in the agrarian economy during the Mughal period.
To make sure you are not studying endlessly, EduRev has designed UPSC study material, with Structured Courses, Videos, & Test Series. Plus get personalized analysis, doubt solving and improvement plans to achieve a great score in UPSC.