With reference to Mughal India, what is/are the difference/differences between Jagirdar and Zamindar?

1. Jagirdars were holders or land assignments in lieu of judicial and police duties, whereas Zamindars were holders of revenue rights without obligation to perform any duty other than revenue collection.

2. Land assignments to Jagirdars were hereditary and revenue rights or Zamindars were not hereditary.

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

The correct answer is Neither 1 nor 2.

Analysis of Statement 1:

In Mughal India, Jagirdars were assigned land rights (known as jagirs) primarily in lieu of their official service, which included administrative, military, or civil duties. However, their primary duty attached to the revenue assignment was to collect land revenue and maintain military troops, whereas judicial and police duties were performed by other designated officials such as the Qazi and Kotwal.

On the other hand, Zamindars were local hereditary landholders who possessed superior rights over land revenue. They were not exempt from duties; they had obligations to maintain law and order within their jurisdictions (performing local police/law enforcement duties) and assist the imperial authority besides collecting revenue. Therefore, Statement 1 is incorrect because it misrepresents the obligations attached to both roles.

Analysis of Statement 2:

Jagirs assigned to Jagirdars were generally non-hereditary and were subject to frequent transfers (typically every 3–4 years) to prevent them from developing local power bases.

Conversely, the revenue rights of Zamindars were hereditary, passed down from generation to generation. Therefore, Statement 2 is incorrect as it reverses the hereditary nature of both positions.

Since both statements 1 and 2 are incorrect, the correct choice is Neither 1 nor 2.