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Difficulty: MediumMedieval Indian Dynasties, Administration, and Regional Kingdoms

During the reign of Mughal Emperor Akbar, the land revenue system known as the 'Dahsala System' (or Bandobast-i-Si-Sal) was introduced under the supervision of his finance minister, Raja Todar Mal. Which of the following features correctly describes this administrative land revenue reform?

  1. The land revenue demand was determined based on the average crop yield and prevailing prices calculated over the preceding ten years.Answer
  2. B
    It established a permanent, unalterable land tax levied uniformly across all land types without considering soil fertility or cultivation continuity.
  3. C
    It completely abolished physical land measurement, relying entirely on visual crop estimation and traditional village revenue estimates.
  4. D
    It granted unchecked hereditary revenue collection rights exclusively to local zamindars, completely eliminating direct state contact with cultivators.

Answer

The land revenue demand was determined based on the average crop yield and prevailing prices calculated over the preceding ten years.
The Dahsala system, finalized in 1580 by Raja Todar Mal during Emperor Akbar's reign, was a sophisticated land revenue system where data regarding crop yields and market prices for the preceding ten years were collected. One-third of the average produce was fixed as the state's share, assessed and collected primarily in cash.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the core feature of the Dahsala System introduced around 1580 by Raja Todar Mal.
Identify that 'Dahsala' is derived from 'Dah' (ten), referring to a ten-year assessment period.
Understanding the etymology and historical context of the system reveals its operational mechanism.
2
Examine how revenue rates were calculated under this reform.
Average yield of each crop and average prices over the past ten years (1570–1580) were calculated, and one-third of the average produce was converted into cash revenue demand.
This method provided stability to both the state exchequer and the cultivators by removing annual price fluctuations.
3
Evaluate the land classification and measurement policies of the Dahsala system to eliminate incorrect choices.
Confirm that land was measured systematically using the Gaz-i-Ilahi and categorized into Polaj, Parauti, Chachar, and Banjar based on cultivation continuity.
This distinguishes Akbar's Zabti/Dahsala system from unmeasured estimation methods or permanent settlements.

Key Concept

Todar Mal's Dahsala Revenue System under Mughal Administration
Estimated Time:1m 0s
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Topics

Medieval Indian Dynasties, Administration, and Regional Kingdoms

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