[Solved] What is the Saranzami System? Maratha Land Grants

Saranzami system was related to-

[39th B.P.S.C. (Pre) 1994]

Detailed Solution & Historical Context

Concept

Like the Mughals, the Marathas needed a way to maintain a large military class without a massive cash treasury. They adopted a system of revenue assignments to pay their generals and officials.

Authentic Source Evidence

The Saranzami system (or Saranjam) was the land revenue system of the Marathas. Under this system, the Chhatrapati or the Peshwa would assign the right to collect taxes from a specific region to a military commander to support his troops and maintain his status.

Analytical Breakdown

Logic 1: It was essentially the Maratha version of the Mughal Jagirdari system.

Logic 2: It helped the Marathas expand quickly, as commanders had a direct incentive to conquer and manage new territories to increase their own 'Saranjam' income.

Conceptual Deep Dive & Logic

"What was a 'Saranjamdar'?"

A Saranjamdar was the holder of a Saranjam grant, responsible for civil and military administration in the assigned area.

Examiner's Mindset & Pro-Tip

"The Saranzami system eventually led to the decentralization of the Maratha Empire into a confederacy, as the Saranjamdars became powerful hereditary lords."

Topic Clusters (click to see related topic questions)

Peshwa 2

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