Consider the following statements: 1. Under Akbar, the system of Zab

Consider the following statements:

  • 1. Under Akbar, the system of Zabt was established over a large area from Punjab to Awadh.
  • 2. In the seventeenth century North India, the system of Zabt lost much ground to the system of Kankut.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1 only
2 only
Both 1 and 2
Neither 1 nor 2
This question was previously asked in
UPSC CAPF – 2021
The correct answer is (A) 1 only.
Statement 1 is correct. The Zabt system, also known as the Dahsala system, was a comprehensive land revenue assessment method based on measurement and average produce over the past ten years. It was implemented by Raja Todar Mal during Akbar’s reign in the core areas of the Mughal Empire, covering fertile regions from Punjab to Awadh, and parts of Malwa, Delhi, and Agra.
Statement 2 is incorrect. While other methods of assessment like Batai (crop-sharing) and Kankut (estimation of standing crop) were used alongside Zabt, especially in areas where Zabt was difficult to implement, it is not accurate to say that Zabt “lost much ground” to Kankut specifically across North India in the 17th century. Zabt remained the preferred and most systematic method in the well-administered regions, though its efficiency varied, and other methods continued to be prevalent or even gained importance in certain areas due to practical reasons or administrative challenges.
The Zabt system was a significant administrative reform of Akbar’s reign, aiming for a more rational and stable revenue collection. However, it was complex and required detailed land surveys and record-keeping, which limited its universal application throughout the vast empire.
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