Zamindars

Zamindars were landlords in India during the Mughal era and later under British colonial rule. They held large tracts of land and were responsible for collecting taxes from the farmers who worked on their estates. In return, zamindars were supposed to maintain order and support local governance. The zamindari system often led to exploitation, as zamindars could impose high taxes, leading to economic hardship for farmers. The system was abolished in the mid-20th century as part of land reforms in India. Today, the term symbolizes feudal landholding and the power dynamics between landowners and agrarian communities.