Read the passage and answer the question:

Revenue from the land was the economic mainstay of the Mughal Empire. It was therefore vital for the state to create an administrative apparatus to ensure control over agricultural production and to fix and collect revenue from across the length and breadth of the rapidly expanding empire. This apparatus included the office (daftar) of the diwan who was responsible for supervising the fiscal system of the empire. Thus revenue officials and record keepers penetrated the agricultural domain and became a decisive agent in shaping agrarian relations.

As mentioned in Ain, what was the name of the method of revenue collection by the mansabdars (in kind) in which the crops were reaped and stacked and divided by agreement in the presence of the parties?

Batai

The correct answer is Option 4 - Batai

Batai was the method of revenue collection by the mansabdars (in kind) in which the crops were reaped and stacked and divided by agreement in the presence of the parties.

Methods of revenue collection in kind mentioned in the Ain:

First, kankut : in the Hindi language kan signifies grain, and kut, estimates … If any doubts arise, the crops should be cut and estimated in three lots, the good, the middling, and the inferior, and the hesitation removed. Often, too, the land taken by appraisement, gives a sufficiently accurate return.

Secondly, batai, also called bhaoli, the crops are reaped and stacked and divided by agreement in the presence of the parties. But in this case several intelligent inspectors are required; otherwise, the evil-minded and false are given to deception.

Thirdly, khet-batai, when they divide the fields after they are sown.

Fourthly, lang batai , after cutting the grain, they form it in heaps and divide it among themselves, and each takes his share home and turns it to profit.