Amalguzar
Also called: Amil, Amil-guzar · Topic: Mughal Agrarian Society and Economy · NCERT: Class 12, Ch 4 "Peasants, Zamindars and the State"
Meaning
The amalguzar (amil-guzar) was the Mughal revenue collector in a district. Land revenue was the main income of the empire, so he was a key official. Akbar ordered him to encourage cultivators to pay in cash. He also had to keep the option open for them to pay in kind, that is, in grain.
Example
Under Akbar, an amalguzar could collect revenue in cash. If a cultivator wanted to pay in grain, he could use methods such as kankut or batai. In kankut, the grain crop was estimated. In batai, the harvested crop was divided between the state and the cultivator by agreement.
Don't confuse with
- Amin: The amin made sure that imperial rules were followed in the provinces. The amalguzar's job was to collect the revenue.
- Patwari: The patwari was the village accountant who kept the land and revenue records.
Related concepts
- Mughal land revenue system
- Jama
- Hasil
- Kankut
- Batai
- Khet-batai
- Lang batai
- Classification of lands under Akbar
- Polaj
- Parauti