Taqavi
Also called: Taccavi · Topic: Mughal Agrarian Society and Economy · NCERT: Beyond NCERT
Meaning
Taqavi (also spelt taccavi) were loans the state gave to peasants. Peasants used them to buy seed, cattle and tools, or to dig wells. They paid the money back in small instalments, usually after the harvest. The aim was to keep land under the plough, since farming was the state's main source of income. The word is still used in India for government farm loans.
Example
The Ain-i Akbari (completed 1598) told the revenue collector, the amil-guzar, to advance money to poor peasants who needed it. He was to recover it in instalments later.
Don't confuse with
- Loans from zamindars or moneylenders: these were private loans. Taqavi came from the state.
Related concepts
- Mughal land revenue system
- Jama
- Hasil
- Amalguzar
- Kankut
- Batai
- Khet-batai
- Lang batai
- Classification of lands under Akbar
- Polaj