Which of the following statements is correct about the zamindars in the agricultural society?

Statement A- Zamindars were rich merchants.
Statement B- They enjoyed certain social and economic privileges.
Statement C- They collected revenue on behalf of the state.
Statement D- They did not have control over military resources.

Choose the correct answer from the given options:

B and C

The correct answer is Option 2 -B and C

The four statements with corrections (wherever needed):

Statement A- Zamindars were LANDED PROPRIETORS, not rich merchants.
Statement B- They enjoyed certain social and economic privileges. (CORRECT)
Statement C- They collected revenue on behalf of the state. (CORRECT)
Statement D- They ALSO HAD CONTROL over military resources.

Zamindars who were landed proprietors who also enjoyed certain social and economic privileges by virtue of their superior status in rural society. Caste was one factor that accounted for the elevated status of zamindars; another factor was that they performed certain services (khidmat) for the state. The zamindars held extensive personal lands termed milkiyat, meaning property. Milkiyat lands were cultivated for the private use of zamindars, often with the help of hired or servile labour. The zamindars could sell, bequeath or mortgage these lands at will. Zamindars also derived their power from the fact that they could often collect revenue on behalf of the state, a service for which they were compensated financially. Control over military resources was another source of power. Most zamindars had fortresses (qilachas) as well as an armed contingent comprising units of cavalry, artillery and infantry.