What did the term 'Mahal' stand for in 1797?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 4
The correct answer is Option (4) → Estate
In 1797 a number of mahals (estates) held by the Raja of Burdwan were sold at a public auction, because the raja had fallen into arrears of revenue under the Permanent Settlement.
NCERT (2026-27): “1.1 An auction in Burdwan … In 1797 there was an auction in Burdwan (presentday Bardhaman). It was a big public event. A number of mahals (estates) held by the Raja of Burdwan were being sold. The Permanent Settlement had come into operation in 1793. The East India Company had fixed the revenue that each zamindar had to pay. The estates of those who failed to pay were to be auctioned to recover the revenue. Since the raja had accumulated huge arrears, his estates had been put up for auction. Numerous purchasers came to the auction and the estates were sold to the highest bidder.…” |