Which of the following statements are true about the zamindars?

(A) Milkiyat lands were cultivated for the general use of the people.

(B) Zamindars could sell, bequeath or mortgage the milkiyat lands.

(C) Zamindars collected revenue on behalf of themselves.

(D) Most Zamindars had fortresses as well as armed contingents.

(E) Control over military resources was another source of power for the Zamindars.

Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

The correct answer is (B), (D) and (E) only.

Explanation:

To understand the role and power of Zamindars in medieval India (particularly during the Mughal period), let us analyze each of the given statements:

Statement (A): Milkiyat lands were cultivated for the general use of the people. (Incorrect)
Milkiyat lands were the private properties of the Zamindars. They were cultivated for the personal use of the Zamindars themselves, often using hired labor or servile peasants, rather than for the general use of the public.

Statement (B): Zamindars could sell, bequeath or mortgage the milkiyat lands. (Correct)
Since milkiyat lands were the private property of the Zamindars, they enjoyed absolute proprietary rights over them. This meant they could freely sell, bequeath (transfer through a will), or mortgage these lands at their own discretion.

Statement (C): Zamindars collected revenue on behalf of themselves. (Incorrect)
Zamindars collected land revenue primarily on behalf of the state (the Mughal empire), not for themselves. In return for this service, they received a share of the collected revenue, known as nankar or banth.

Statement (D): Most Zamindars had fortresses as well as armed contingents. (Correct)
To maintain control over their territories and enforce revenue collection, most Zamindars maintained fortresses (called qilachas or qilas) and kept their own armed contingents consisting of infantry, cavalry, and artillery.

Statement (E): Control over military resources was another source of power for the Zamindars. (Correct)
The military strength of the Zamindars (their armed forces and fortresses) was a major source of their power and social status, allowing them to assert authority over peasants and sometimes even challenge the state.

Therefore, statements (B), (D), and (E) are correct, making (B), (D) and (E) only the correct choice.