Mughal Agrarian Structure

Mughal Land Categories: Khalisa, Jagir, and Inam

In Mughal revenue terminology, 'Mauza' refers to a village, not a rebellious territory. Other terms include Khalisa (crown land), Jagir (official assignments), and Inam (religious grants).

Primary Reference: NCERT Class XII: Themes in Indian History

Archived:

Updated:

Which pair is NOT correctly matched?

[CAPF 2017]

Detailed Solution & Historical Context

Concept


The Mughal state categorized land based on where its revenue was allocated. This ensured that the Emperor had a personal source of funds (Khalisa) while the officials were supported by separate assignments (Jagirs).

Authentic Source Evidence

  • Khalisa: Land reserved for the Emperor’s personal treasury.

  • Jagir: Revenue assigned to officials in lieu of cash salary.

  • Inam: Tax-free land given to scholars or religious institutions.

  • Mauza: This is simply the administrative term for a village. It has nothing to do with rebellion.
  • Analytical Breakdown


  • Logic 1: 'Mauza' (or Mouza) remains a common revenue term in modern India/Bangladesh to denote a village unit.

  • Logic 2: Rebellious territories were usually called Mawas or Zortalab, whereas Mauza was a standard peaceful administrative unit.
  • Conceptual Deep Dive & Logic

    "What was 'Madad-i-maash'?"

    It was a form of Inam land grant specifically meant for supporting religious people and scholars.

    Examiner's Mindset & Pro-Tip

    "The categorization of land was the 'operating system' of the Mughal Empire, allowing for a decentralized but centrally audited economy."

    Topic Clusters (click to see related topic questions)

    Mansabdari 6

    Analysing authentic CAPFprevious year questions is non-negotiable for serious aspirants. Thoroughly decoding past exam trends related to Mughal Agrarian Structure helps you understand the examiner's mindset. Mastering specific entities like Khalisa and Jagir builds the analytical intuition needed to clear the exam. Practice Previous Year Questions here →

    UPSC Question Bank | Verified
    Live Archive Status