Economic Terms

Jagirdar Holder of a "jagir" under the Mughals. Jaziya A religious tax paid by all the "Zimmis". Jagir Mughal equivalent to the iqta of the Delhi Sultans. Jama Total land revenue levied or expected from an estate or area.

Jamabandi Settlement of the amount of revenue as­sessed upon an estate or village or district.

Kankut It was a method of revenue calculation in which the cultivator and the government official arrived at a general estimate of the produce of the whole area on the basis of sample survey by mutual agreement, and government's share was accordingly fixed.

Kulkarni Village accountant in western India and the Deccan.

Kharaj Land revenue in the Muslim ruled states of medieval India.

Khums Traditionally one-fifth share of the State in the war booty and treasure troves, mines, etc. but became four­fifth from the time of Ala-ud-din Khalji Kamiya Bonded agricultural labourer of eastern India.

Kanamdar Holder of land tenure under the zamindars (jenmis) in Kerala. During the term of the tenure (usually 12 years) the kanamdar paid the jenmi a lower rent than other tenants. For, at the beginning of the term he paid the jenmi a lump sum (the 'Kanam') and the rent he had to pay was accordingly reduced. The kanamdar either culti­vated the land himself or let it out to other tenants such as "Pattamdars".

Khudkashta A peasant who was a permanent resident of the village and had ownership rights of his lands and implements and paid land revenue to the state directly in Mughal India. In Maharashtra he was called 'Mirasdar' (holders of 'Miras' lands), and in Rajasthan as 'Gharuhala' or 'Gaveti'.

Kofra A tenant with certain customary rights in his land in eastern India.
Khatbandi Indenture regulations which bound the artisans of Eastern India to sell their products exclusively to the English East India Company from the late 1770s onwards.

Karkhana Royal factory where different types of goods were manufactured for the royal court and the army under the Delhi Sultanate and the Mughals.

Kaulnama Written voucher granted to revenue payers specifying the terms of their payments and the amounts.

Khalisa Crown land or land held and managed directly by the state.

Mahalwari It was a system of land revenue assessment in which the unit of assessment was a 'mahal' or estate but not an individual holding. Under the system, the re­sponsibility for the payment of revenue was collective, and the government reserved the right to periodically revise the revenue demand. It was introduced by the British in the Gangetic valley, the Punjab, North-Western Province, and parts of Central India.

Malguzar Holder of "malguzari", Le. revenue engage­ment right, in northern and central India, under the British.

Mamlatdar Non-hereditary revenue official in charge of district or sub-district in western India and Deccan under the Marathas.

Muqaddam Village headman in north India, also called "Khot".

Muzarian Share-cropper in Mughal India.

Mahajan Wholesale merchant or big banker in eastern, northern and western India.

Marwari Native of Marwar in Rajasthan who followed the business of banker, merchant and broker.

Madad-i-Maash Land whose revenues were assigned by the State to the religious and learned persons or religious and benevolent institutions.

Malikana Special allowance assigned to the zamindar by the State out of the land revenue because of his superior right over the land.

Mandi Wholesale market Manotidar A banker or money lender who provided
guarantee or stood security to the intermediary revenue collector after receiving a premium (manoti) for that pur­pose from the latter.

Milki Proprietorship or ownership especially of land. Mohur Gold coin.
Muafi Revenue-free holdings.

Mukarari Tenure at fixed rates of rent or revenue.

Nasaq In this method the revenue payable by the cultivator was calculated on the basis of past experience.

Nattar A person belonging to the local ruling class and dominating local land and people in Tamil Nadu.

Nazrana Gift usually from inferior to superior. Force contribution.

Palegar or Poligar Petty chieftain or zamindar who enjoyed hereditary right of revenue collection in South India.

Patel or Patil Village headman in western India and Deccan.

Patwari Village accountant in northern and central India.

Pahi A peasant who was basically an 'outsider' but cultivated the rented lands in a village either while staying in the neighbouring village or by staying in the same village in Mughal India. In Maharashtra he was known as "Upari".

Patnidar Holder of a "patni" or undertenure in a zamindari in some parts of eastern India (e.g. Burdwan dist.)

Paikar Merchant agents concerned with buying goods from artisans in eastern India.