Peasants, Zamindars and the State Test - 1

Marathi documents and village surveys made in the early years of British rule have revealed the existence of substantial numbers of artisans, sometimes as high as 25 percent of the total households in the villages.

The fear of losing control over women in agrarian society manifested through restrictions on women's mobility.

Forest dwellers primarily relied on gathering forest produce and hunting for their livelihood.

Peasants contributed their labor to the production of agro-based goods such as sugar and oil.

"Little republic" regarding villages symbolized egalitarianism and collective decision-making.

One role of tribal chiefs was often recruiting soldiers for the state, leveraging their influence and authority within the tribe to bolster the state's military forces.

The village panchayat was typically a heterogeneous body representing various castes and communities within the village. It was composed of elected representatives or members from different social groups, ensuring a diverse representation in decision-making processes. This diversity allowed for the inclusion of perspectives from different sections of the village community and contributed to the panchayat's effectiveness in resolving disputes, administering justice, and managing local affairs.

Village artisans were compensated for their services through a share of the agricultural harvest.

The Ain-i Akbari was authored by Abu’l Fazl, Akbar’s court historian.

Peasants were the ones who performed the manifold seasonal tasks involved in agricultural production.