Peasants, Zamindars and the State Test - 3

Women in agrarian society typically performed tasks such as harvesting and winnowing crops.

Women had the right to inherit and manage property, including the ability to sell or mortgage it, challenging the notion of their exclusion from property ownership prevalent in many societies.

The Ain-i Akbari, written by Abu'l-Fazl ibn Mubarak, was a detailed document commissioned by Emperor Akbar of the Mughal Empire. Its primary purpose was to present a comprehensive account of Akbar's administration, including details about the empire's geography, economy, society, and governance. It aimed to showcase Akbar's achievements and present his empire in a favorable light, highlighting its diversity, prosperity, and administrative prowess.

The majority of regions produced at least two crops per year, with some areas yielding three crops, accurately describes agricultural practices in medieval India.

Cultivation was based on the principle of individual ownership where peasant lands were bought and sold like other property.

An abundance of crops Agriculture was organised around two major seasonal cycles, the kharif (autumn) and the rabi (spring).

Women sought redress and justice in rural communities by sending petitions to the village panchayat.

Revenue records from various regions provide valuable insights into rural society beyond what is captured in texts like the Ain-i Akbari. These records offer detailed information about land ownership, agricultural practices, taxation, and economic transactions, allowing historians to analyze social and economic dynamics at the local level. While peasant diaries, travelogues of merchants, and military reports can also provide valuable perspectives, revenue records are particularly useful for understanding the administrative and economic aspects of rural society in historical contexts.

Jati panchayats held significant power in settling civil disputes between different castes.

Social status among tribes changed over time through increased centralization of power, which often led to the consolidation of authority within specific individuals or groups within the tribe.