question_answer

Assess the role played by Panchayats in the villages during Mughal period.

Or

Examine the status and role played by the women in the agrarian society during Mughal period.

Answer:

Role of Panchayats under Mughals:

The village panchayats were very strong in the earlier times but the Mughals introduced Jahagirdari system. The Panch was selected from the community depending on his experience and wisdom. The body of several such men was called Village Panchayat which had been effective from the Vedic times. The Jahagirdars were landed property owners who were allowed to collect the revenue. This was a new power pattern. It weakened the self-governing panchayat system. The Panchayats used to be financially independent and it was also a kind of court where petty matters were decided. The Jahagirdars system affected badly but scholars think that despite the Panchayats did play a good role in the administration of the village.

Or

The women were considered an important resource in the agrarian society because they were child bearers in a society - dependent on labour. At the same time there were often shortage of wives due to malnutrition, frequent pregnancies and death during child birth. This led to the emergence of social customs in peasant and artisan communities that were distinct from those prevalent amount elite groups. Marriage in many rural communities required the payment of bride price rather the dowry to the bride?s family Remarriage was considered legitimate both among divorce and widowed women.

Women had the right to inherit property. Instances from Punjab showed that women including widows, actively participated in the rural land market zamindaris which they were free to sell or mortgage. Women zamindars were known in 18th Century Bengal.