Which of the following statements are true about the zamindars?(A) Mi…

Which of the following statements are true about the zamindars?

(A) Milkiyat lands were cultivated for the general use of the people.

(B) Zamindars could sell, bequeath or mortgage the milkiyat lands.

(D) Most Zamindars had fortresses as well as armed contingent.

(E) Control over military resources was another source of power for the Zamindars.

Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

Answer & explanation

Correct answer: option 4

The correct answer is Option (4) → (B), (D) and (E) only

(A) Milkiyat lands were cultivated for the general use of the people. Incorrect. Milkiyat lands were cultivated for the private use of the zamindars, often with the help of hired or servile labour. Milkiyat means property: these were the zamindars’ own extensive personal lands.

(B) Zamindars could sell, bequeath or mortgage the milkiyat lands. Correct. Being their property, the zamindars could sell, bequeath or mortgage these lands at will.

(C) Zamindars collected revenue on behalf of themselves. Incorrect. They collected revenue on behalf of the state, a service for which they were compensated financially. This service was one source of their power.

(D) Most Zamindars had fortresses as well as armed contingent. Correct. Most zamindars had fortresses (qilachas) as well as an armed contingent of cavalry, artillery and infantry.

(E) Control over military resources was another source of power for the Zamindars. Correct. Besides revenue collection, control over military resources was another source of power for them.

NCERT (2025-26): “5. The Zamindars … 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.…”