A historian traces how zamindaris were built up through slow processes of consolidation in Mughal India. Which of the following statements are correct?
(A) The Rajputs and Jats consolidated their control over vast swathes of territory in northern India.
(B) Peasant-pastoralists like the Sadgops carved out powerful zamindaris in central and south-western Bengal.
(C) People of relatively lower castes could enter the rank of zamindars by buying zamindaris.
(D) Zamindaris were seldom bought and sold in this period.
(E) The Sadgops consolidated lineage-based zamindaris over vast swathes of northern India.
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 1
The correct answer is Option (1) → A, B and C only
(A) The Rajputs and Jats consolidated their control over vast swathes of territory in northern India. — Correct. Clan- or lineage-based zamindaris were consolidated by the Rajputs and Jats over vast areas of northern India.
(B) Peasant-pastoralists like the Sadgops carved out powerful zamindaris in central and south-western Bengal. — Correct. The Sadgops, who were peasant-pastoralists, carved out powerful zamindaris in central and south-western Bengal.
(C) People of relatively lower castes could enter the rank of zamindars by buying zamindaris. — Correct. Since zamindaris were bought and sold, people of relatively lower castes could buy their way into the rank of zamindars.
(D) Zamindaris were seldom bought and sold in this period. — Incorrect. The sale of zamindaris was quite brisk in this period. This brisk trade let people of lower castes become zamindars.
(E) The Sadgops consolidated lineage-based zamindaris over vast swathes of northern India. — Incorrect. The Sadgops built zamindaris in central and south-western Bengal. Lineage-based control over northern India belonged to the Rajputs and Jats.
NCERT (2026-27): “5. The Zamindars … |