HistoryMedieval India: Peasants, Zamindars and the State

In the statistical information of the Ain-i Akbari on the subas and t…

In the statistical information of the Ain-i Akbari on the subas and their divisions, what does the term jama refer to?

Answer & explanation

Correct answer: option 2

The correct answer is Option (2) → Assessed revenue

Option (1) Total measured area — Incorrect. Measured area is given under arazi and zamin-i paimuda, a separate column of the sarkar tables.

Option (2) Assessed revenue — Correct. Jama means the assessed revenue, given for each suba with its divisions and total measured area in the mulk-abadi.

Option (3) Grants of revenue in charity — Incorrect. Grants of revenue in charity were called suyurghal, a separate column of the sarkar tables.

Option (4) Castes of the zamindars — Incorrect. The castes of the zamindars are recorded in columns 7 and 8 of the sarkar tables, along with their troops.

NCERT (2026-27): “8. The Ain-i Akbari of Abu’l Fazl Allami …
The third book, mulk-abadi, is the one which deals with the fiscal side of the empire and provides rich quantitative information on revenue rates, followed by the “Account of the Twelve Provinces”. This section has detailed statistical information, which includes the geographic, topographic and economic profile of all subas and their administrative and fiscal divisions (sarkars, parganas and mahals), total measured area, and assessed revenue ( jama ).”