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The Jagirdari System was a land revenue system in India that played a key role in the administration of medieval empires. Under this system, rulers granted jagirs—land revenue rights—to nobles, officers, and officials instead of paying them direct salaries. Jagirdars were responsible for collecting taxes, maintaining law and order in their territories, and providing military support when required. Unlike land ownership, jagirs were revenue assignments, transferable and revocable by the ruler. Understanding this system provides insights into the political and economic organisation of India under the Delhi Sultanate and Mughal Empire.
Contents
- 1 What is the Jagirdari system?
- 2 Origin and development of the Jagirdari System
- 3 What are the Main Features of the Jagirdari System?
- 4 Types of Jagirs
- 5 What was the Impact of the Jagirdari System?
- 6 Impact of the Jagirdari System
- 7 Difference Between Zamindars and Jagirdars
- 8 Crises of the Jagirdari System
- 9 FAQs
What is the Jagirdari system?
The Jagirdari System evolved from the Iqta System of the Delhi Sultanate (13th century), where iqtadars were assigned revenue rights over territories in exchange for military services. Under the Mughal Empire, particularly during Akbar’s reign, this system was formalized and integrated with the Mansabdari System, where officials were assigned ranks (mansabs) and corresponding jagirs based on their position and duties.
A Jagirdar did not own the land but had the right to collect revenue from it. A portion of the collected revenue was kept as income, and the remainder was sent to the imperial treasury. Jagirdars were also expected to maintain troops and ensure security in their assigned territories.
Over time, especially during the decline of the Mughal Empire, the system became prone to corruption, exploitation of peasants, and weakened central authority. During British rule, jagirs gradually lost significance, and after Indian independence, the system was formally abolished through land reform laws in the 1950s.
History of Jagirdari System
| Period | Key Developments |
|---|---|
| Delhi Sultanate (13th century) | Introduction of the Iqta System. Land revenue rights assigned to officers (iqtadars) in return for military service. |
| Mughal Empire (16th–18th century) | Akbar formalized the Jagirdari System, linking it with the Mansabdari system. Jagirdars were ranked, monitored, and given revenue assignments based on duties. |
| Decline (Late 18th century) | System became corrupt due to weak central authority, overpowered jagirdars, and exploitation of peasants. |
| British Period & Post-Independence | British introduced new revenue systems (Zamindari, Ryotwari). After 1947, land reform acts abolished jagirs in India. |
Origin and development of the Jagirdari System
The origins of the Jagirdari System can be traced back to the 13th century. The Delhi Sultanate faced difficulties in maintaining a vast empire and thus needed an effective revenue collection system. To address this and other problems, it came with the Iqta system, which subsequently evolved into the Jagirdari system.
- Iqta System: The precursor of the Jagirdari System, started under the Delhi Sultanate, involved assignment of revenue rights to military officers. They provided troops and collected taxes from peasants.
- Mughal Evolution: Under the Mughals, jagirs were given to nobles and officials, often ranked according to the Mansabdari system.
- Revenue & Responsibilities: Jagirdars collected taxes, maintained order, and supplied troops. A portion of revenue served as their income, and the remainder went to the imperial treasury.
- Administrative Checks: Periodic transfers of jagirs and regulations prevented excessive accumulation of power in one person’s hands.
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What are the Main Features of the Jagirdari System?
Revenue Grants: Jagirs were assignments of revenue, not permanent land ownership.
Conditional and Unconditional Jagirs: Conditional jagirs required services (military or administrative), while unconditional grants were given as rewards or hereditary assignments.
Transferability: Jagirs were transferable to prevent misuse of power.
Integration with Mansabdari System: Under Akbar, jagirs were linked to ranks (mansabs), aligning income with duties.
Revenue Terms: Collected revenue was called Jama, and total income kept by jagirdars was called Hasil.
Types of Jagirs
There were multiple types of jagirs, including:
| Type of Jagir | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Tankha Jagir | Assigned as salary to officials or military personnel. |
| Mashrut Jagir | Conditional grants requiring services. |
| Watan Jagir | Hereditary land grants, often in native states. |
| Inam/Altamgha Jagir | Assigned a salary to officials or military personnel. |
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What was the Impact of the Jagirdari System?
Impact of the Jagirdari System
Positive Impacts:
- Centralized power by rewarding loyalty and service.
- Efficient revenue collection for the empire.
- Military support from jagirdars ensured security.
- Administrative control over large territories.
Negative Impacts:
- Exploitation of peasants due to excessive taxation.
- Frequent transfers discouraged land improvement.
- Powerful jagirdars sometimes ignored central authority.
- Contributed to weakening of the Mughal state over time.
Difference Between Zamindars and Jagirdars
| Feature | Zamindar | Jagirdar |
|---|---|---|
| Role | Tax collector and landholder | Revenue collector assigned via jagir |
| Land Ownership | Often hereditary | Did not own land permanently |
| Military Duty | None | Required to provide troops if conditional |
| Historical Period | Mughal/British, formalized under British | Evolved from Delhi Sultanate, formalized under Mughals |
| Revenue System | Permanent or long-term | Temporary and transferable |
| Abolition | Zamindari Abolition Acts (1950s) | Jagir Abolition Acts (1950s) |
Crises of the Jagirdari System
- Shortage of Quality Land: Not enough jagirs to reward all officials.
- Frequent Transfers: Jagirdars focused on quick revenue collection rather than land development.
- Hiring Tax Collectors: Led to abuse and peasant exploitation.
- Power Accumulation: Some jagirdars became too influential and defied central authority.
- Peasant Unrest: Heavy taxation caused resentment and rebellions.
Also Read: Mahalwari System of Land Revenue: History, Features, Impacts
FAQs
In simple words, the Jagirdari system was a feudal land grant system that originated in India during the early 13th century. In this system, the powers to collect taxes from a particular region and govern it accordingly were granted to an appointed person, known as Jagirdar or Zamindar. The jagirdar was not only responsible for collecting taxes from the tenants but also extended a portion of the collected revenue to the state in this way.
The Jagirdari System was introduced by Akbar which helped him in strengthening the overall administration of his empire.
Warren Hastings introduced the Izaredari System in 1773 in Bengal. Under this system, the right to collect land revenue was given to the highest bidder, called the Izaredar. The revenue amount and collection period kept changing often, and there was no fixed rule or stable income for the government, which led to confusion and misuse.
In the Jagirdari system, land was given mainly for collecting revenue, not for ownership. During the Delhi Sultanate period, this land grant was called an “iqta”, and the person in charge of it was called an “iqtadar”. Sultan Alauddin Khilji ended this system for a time, but it was later brought back by Sultan Firuz Shah Tughlaq.
A Zamindar was a landholder during the Mughal and British periods in India who collected taxes from farmers on behalf of the government. They acted as a link between the state and the peasants and often passed down their land rights from one generation to another.
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