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CDS 2014 (II)

Mughal Agrarian Economy

Authentic Past Paper Standard Evaluation

Which of the following statements about Mughal rule is FALSE?

Solution & Analysis

Answer: A

Concept The Mughal agrarian economy was highly productive but socially complex. The 'peasant' was not a single category but a ladder of diverse economic statuses determined by land size and caste.

Explanation Peasant communities were NOT homogeneous. They were deeply divided by caste (*jati*), land ownership (small vs. large holders), and access to capital. However, the period was noted for grain abundance, the cultivation of two crops annually (Kharif and Rabi), and state support for high-revenue crops (Jins-i-Kamil) like cotton and sugarcane.

Logical Breakup
Logic 1: The false statement is A. The presence of 'halalkhoran' (low caste laborers) and 'khud-kashta' (resident farmers) proves the extreme social hierarchy among peasants.
Logic 2: The state actively promoted cash crops because they provided higher revenue through the Zabt system.

Active Recall

Question

What was the 'Jins-i-Kamil'?

Answer

These were 'perfect crops' or high-value cash crops like indigo, cotton, and oilseeds that the Mughal state encouraged for higher tax returns.

Core Insight

The diversity of the peasantry was the Mughal state's biggest administrative challenge, leading to the creation of village panchayats to manage internal social disputes.

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