During the Delhi Sultanate, the designation 'Muqaddam or Chaudhari' was used for
- A.village headman
- B.revenue officials
- C.village accountant
- D.More than one of the above
Correct answer
Explanation
The correct answer is A, village headman. Under the Delhi Sultans, the Muqaddam or Chaudhari was the headman of the village and helped collect land revenue from the peasants. The village was the smallest unit of the Sultanate. Above it came the pargana under an Amil, the shiq under a Shiqdar, and the province, or iqta, under a Muqti or Wali. Along with the Khut, the headmen enjoyed many privileges, and Alauddin Khalji is remembered for cutting them down so that they paid taxes like ordinary peasants. Option B is wrong because revenue officials such as the Amil worked at the pargana level, above the village. Option C is wrong because the village accountant was the Patwari, who kept the land and revenue records. Option D is wrong because the term meant only one post, the headman. Exam tip: Muqaddam or Chaudhari is the headman, Patwari is the accountant, and Alauddin Khalji curbed the Khut, Muqaddam and Chaudhari.
Practice Questions
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