Class 12 History - BIHAR
Peasants Zamindars and the State
The chapter Peasants Zamindars and the State explores agrarian society in India during the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, focusing on the Mughal Empire. It uses chronicles like the Ain-i Akbari to examine the relationship between peasants, agricultural production, the rural gentry (zamindars), and the imperial state. Students learn about village communities, caste dynamics, irrigation systems, revenue collection, and the monetization of the rural economy. This chapter is highly important for Bihar Board (BSEB) exams as it features frequently in both objective multiple-choice questions and long-answer descriptive questions regarding Mughal administration and agrarian history.
Start Learning FreeKey Concepts
Ain-i Akbari
The final part of the Akbarnama, written by Abu'l Fazl, which provides detailed information on Mughal administration, agrarian relations, and statistics.
Peshkash
A form of tribute collected by the Mughal state from the zamindars, representing a sign of submission to imperial authority.
Jins-i Kamil
Literally meaning 'perfect crops', these were cash crops like cotton and sugarcane that yielded higher revenue for the Mughal state.
Khudkasht
Resident peasants who lived and farmed lands in their own villages, holding hereditary rights to cultivate their holdings.
Zamindar
A powerful rural elite class in Mughal India who owned extensive personal lands and held the right to collect revenue from peasants.
Important Formulas
Board Exam Info
In the Bihar (BSEB) Class 12 History board exams, this chapter typically carries around 8 to 12 marks. Questions usually include objective (MCQ) items on Mughal texts and terms, short-answer questions defining rural roles like zamindars and khudkasht, and long-answer descriptive questions explaining the agrarian structure or the revenue system under the Mughals.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between Khudkasht and Pahi-kasht peasants?
Khudkasht were resident cultivators who lived in the village where they owned land, while Pahi-kasht were non-resident cultivators who farmed lands in other villages on a contractual basis.
Who wrote the Ain-i Akbari and what does it contain?
It was written by Abu'l Fazl and contains comprehensive details on Mughal administration, household, army, provinces, and agrarian statistics.
What role did zamindars play in the Mughal agrarian society?
Zamindars were intermediaries who collected revenue from peasants on behalf of the state, maintained armed forces, and held proprietary rights over extensive lands.
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