4. Peasants, Zamindars and the State Agrarian Society and t ty and tty and the Mughal Empire (c. sixteenth- seventeenth centuries)

During the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries about 85 per cent of the population of India lived in its villages. Both peasants and landed elites were involved in agricultural production and claimed rights to a share of the produce. This created relationships of cooperation, competition and conflict among them. The sum of these agrarian relationships made up rural society.

In the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, a significant majority, around 85% of the Indian population, resided in villages. This indicates that rural life was the norm for most people. Within these villages, two primary groups were involved in farming: peasants (the working class who farmed the land) and zamindars (landed elites who owned large tracts of land). Each group had claims to the produce of these lands, leading to complex social dynamics characterized by cooperation (working together), competition (struggling for resources), and conflict (disagreements or fights over rights). Altogether, these interactions formed the foundation of rural society, highlighting the interconnectedness of their lives and the agricultural economy.

Imagine a small community garden where two families share the space. Both families work hard to grow vegetables. They help each other at times, but they may also argue over who gets more vegetables or who should take care of the plants more. Similarly, in rural India, peasants and zamindars worked together to produce food but also had disputes regarding their shares of the harvest.

At the same time agencies from outside also entered into the rural world. Most important among these was the Mughal state, which derived the bulk of its income from agricultural production. Agents of the state – revenue assessors, collectors, record keepers – sought to control rural society so as to ensure that cultivation took place and the state got its regular share of taxes from the produce.

During this time, the Mughal state played a crucial role in rural India. It relied heavily on the agricultural sector for its income. To manage this, the state employed various officials - revenue assessors measured land and crops, collectors gathered taxes based on the harvest, and record keepers maintained records of what was produced. Their main goal was to ensure that farming continued successfully since the state needed a steady revenue from agricultural taxes. This involvement reflects the relationship between the state and rural communities, where governance extended into the everyday lives of villagers.

Think of a town with a mayor who needs funds to keep the town running. The mayor asks the local businesses to pay taxes based on their sales. To ensure everyone pays, the mayor appoints people to check sales records and collect the taxes. Similarly, the Mughal state used officials to ensure they received their fair share of revenue from the farmers.

Since many crops were grown for sale, trade, money and markets entered the villages and linked the agricultural areas with the towns.

As agricultural production expanded, many crops were grown not just for local consumption but also for sale in markets. This shift led to the introduction of trade systems, money circulation, and market exchanges within the villages. Villagers began to sell their surplus produce, which connected rural agricultural areas with urban centers, allowing for the flow of goods and monetary resources between these two segments of society. This connection was vital for the economic development of both the villages and the towns.

Imagine a farmer who grows extra apples each season. Instead of just eating them or giving them away, the farmer takes them to a local market to sell them. By doing this, the farmer earns money that can be used to buy other goods. This not only helps the farmer's family but also connects the rural community to the wider economy, benefiting everyone involved.

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