Read the following para and answer the questions.
In most places, peasants paid taxes through the rural elites, i.e., the headman or the local chieftain. The Mughals used one term – zamindars – to describe all intermediaries, whether they were local headmen of villages or powerful chieftains. The zamindars were not appointed by the Mughal Emperors but existed on a hereditary basis, that is, sons succeeded when the fathers died. They too had contingents of armed followers.
They received from the jagirdars a share of the revenue collected from the area and also some dues from the farmers and others. They often acted as representatives of the local people in dealing with the Mughal officials.
a. Who were zamindars?
b. Who could be the zamindars?
c. How did zamindars get their office?
d. What were the responsibilities of zamindars?
e. What was the position of zamindars in the administration of Mughals?
