Practicing Success

Target Exam

CUET

Subject

History

Chapter

Medieval India: Peasants, Zamindars and the State

Question:

What is the meaning of the term 'jins-i-kamil' in the Indo-Persian sources of Mughal period?

Options:

Par excellence

Cotton

Perfect crops

Sugar

Correct Answer:

Perfect crops

Explanation:

The correct answer is Option (3) → Perfect crops

The focus on the cultivation of basic staples did not mean that agriculture in medieval India was only for subsistence. We often come across the term jins-i-kamil (literally, perfect crops) in our sources. The Mughal state also encouraged peasants to cultivate such crops as they brought in more revenue. Crops such as cotton and sugarcane were jins-i-kamil par excellence. Cotton was grown over a great swathe of territory spread over central India and the Deccan plateau, whereas Bengal was famous for its sugar. Such cash crops would also include various sorts of oilseeds (for example, mustard) and lentils. This shows how subsistence and commercial production were closely intertwined in an average peasant's holding.

So, the correct option is [3].