With reference to the early 19th century administration of Punjab, the...
- Maharaja Ranjit Singh, renowned as the Lion of the Punjab or Sher-e-Punjab was the great ruler and the founder of the Sikh kingdom of Punjab (1801-1839). Being continually busy in wars and entangled in politics, Ranjit Singh could not devote much time to establish any sound system of administration. The general pattern of his administration was after the Mughal type and Persian terminology was frequently adopted.
- Ranjit Singh had divided his kingdom into provinces. All the provinces were not of uniform size. Nazims or Subedars were appointed to administer these provinces.
- The office of Nazim being one of influence and power, was generally given to able and trustworthy persons.
- The Nazims were paid fat salaries but they were not uniform in all the provinces. o Each province was divided into Parganas, and each Pargana was divided into Taulqas and each Taulqa into 50 to 100 Mauzas or villages. Each Pargana was under an official known as Kardar. He was a revenue collector, a magistrate and a representative of the central authority all rolled in one. His chief functions were:
- to collect revenue.
- to maintain peace and order in the Pargana.
- to act as a judge and magistrate and try cases according to his authority.
- to enforce the orders of the Maharaja in the district.
- The Kardar was also incharge of the treasury and performed duties of an accountant. o Hence option (c) is the correct answer.
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With reference to the early 19th century administration of Punjab, the...
Provincial and District Administrators in Early 19th Century Punjab
In the early 19th century administration of Punjab, the terms nazim and kardar referred to provincial and district administrators. These officials played crucial roles in the governance and management of the region during this time period.
Nazim
- The term "nazim" referred to the provincial administrator who was responsible for overseeing the administration of a particular province in Punjab.
- The nazim was in charge of maintaining law and order, collecting revenue, and implementing policies and directives from higher authorities.
- This position held significant power and influence within the provincial administration structure.
Kardar
- The term "kardar" referred to the district administrator who was responsible for the administration of a specific district within a province.
- The kardar's duties included collecting taxes, maintaining records of land ownership, resolving disputes among landowners and tenants, and ensuring the overall functioning of the district.
- The kardar played a vital role in connecting the local population with the provincial administration and acted as a liaison between the two levels of government.
Overall, the nazim and kardar were integral parts of the early 19th-century administration of Punjab, working together to ensure effective governance and management of the region. Their roles were essential in maintaining order, collecting revenue, and addressing the needs of the local population.