question_answer

Read the following extract carefully and answer the questions that follow:

The Ain on land revenue collection

Let him (the amil-guzar) not make it a practice of taking only in cash but also in kind. The latter is effected in several ways. First, kankut: in the Hindi language kan signifies grain, and kut, estimates..... If any doubts arise, the crops should be cut and estimated in three lots, the good, the middling and the inferior, and the hesitation should be removed. Often, too, the land taken by appraisement, gives a sufficiently accurate return. Secondly, batai, also called bhaoli, the crops are reaped and stacked and divided by agreement in the presence of the parties. But in this case several intelligent inspectors are required; otherwise, the evil-minded and false are given to deception. Thirdly, khet-batai, when they divide the fields after they are sown. Fourthly, lang batai) after cutting the grain, they form it in heaps and divide it among themselves, and ceash takes his share home and turns it to profit.

(i) Explain the kankut system of land revenue.

(ii) How as the land revenue assessed in the case of batai or bhaoli?

(iii) Do you think that the land revenue system of the Mughals was flexible?

Answer:

(i) In the Kankut system, in the Hindi language kan signifies grain and kut estimates. If any doubts arise the crops should be cut and estimated in three lots, the good the middling and the inferior, and the hesitation should be removed. Often, too, the land taken by appraisement, gives a sufficiently accurate return.

(ii) Batai also called bhaoli, the crops are reaped and stacked and divided by agreement in the presence of the parties.

(iii) Yes, the land revenue system of the Mughals was flexible.