Question

The "Dahsala" system developer by Raja Todar Mal was for 
1. Collection of land revenue at standard rate which was valid for 10 years 
2. Measurement of land once in 10 years for fixing area of assessment 
3. Collection of revenue on the basis of average of producers and prices in the last 10 years
4. Sharing of crop between the farmer and the State for 10 years

Answer 1

Correct Answer - Option 3 : Collection of revenue on the basis of average of producers and prices in the last 10 years

The correct answer is the Collection of revenue on the basis of average of producers and prices in the last 10 years.

•  Dahsala system
  • Dahsala System or Zabti System was introduced by Raja Todarmal, the able finance minister of Akbar who had honed his skills under his first master Shershah Suri.
  • This system prevailed from Lahore to Allahabad and in the provinces of Malwa and Gujarat.
  • In this system, the average produce of ten years was derived. One-third of this average produce was fixed in Rupees per Bigha and fixed as a share of the State(Mal). Rest two-third share was left to the cultivators(Kharaj).
  • It remains a standard system of revenue assessment during the greater part of the Mughal empire.
  • During Shahjahan's era, it was introduced in the Deccan by Murshid Quli Khan.
  • Prior to the introduction of Dahsala, Gaz-i-Sikandar was used for the purpose of measurement Akbar introduced Gaz-i-IIahi in A.D. 1586-87.
  • The lands given in Jagirs were also looked after by the royal officer but their income was given to the concerned Jagirdars.
  • Akbar established direct relations with the cultivators as it was in the reign of Sher Shah Suri. His system came to be known as Raiyatwari.
  • The revenue was quite high and it was realized sternly by the corrupt officials which troubled the cultivators very much.
• Raja Todarmal
  • Raja was a successful Diwan and made some significant changes in the revenue system which brought laurels to him.
  • Akbar was very much pleased by the success of labour and their vast knowledge of the revenue system brought name and fame for him and the Dahsala system was introduced in A.D. 1580.
  • Raja Todar Mal divided all cultivable land into four categories:
    1. Polaj: It was the best land cultivated every year.
    2. Parauti: It was the land of the second category which was left uncultivated for one year or two so that it could recover its fertility.
    3. Chachar: It was left uncultivated for three to four years in order to make it cultivable.