Historians have studied the relationship between zamindars and peasan…

The correct answer is Option (3) → Bhakti saints - Did not portray zamindars as oppressors of the peasantry

Option (1) Zamindars - Seen by historians as a non-exploitative class — Incorrect. There is little doubt that zamindars were an exploitative class. The reciprocity existed alongside this exploitation.

Option (2) Bhakti saints - Portrayed the moneylender as the oppressor of the peasantry — Incorrect. The bhakti saints did not portray the moneylender as an oppressor either. Only the person is changed here, and the claim is false.

Option (3) Bhakti saints - Did not portray zamindars as oppressors of the peasantry — Correct. The bhakti saints condemned caste-based and other oppression, yet they did not portray the zamindars as oppressors of the peasantry. This supports the view of reciprocity.

Option (4) Zamindar-peasant relationship - Free of paternalism and patronage — Incorrect. The relationship had an element of reciprocity, paternalism and patronage. Saying it was free of these reverses the point.