Question

The designation “ amil” during Akbar’s reign denoted a _________ .
A)Policemen
B)Retail trader
C)Postman
D)Revenue official

Answer 1

Hint: A system of organized land revenue collection was formulated by Raja Todar Mal, the finance minister of Akbar called the Dahsala system which was introduced in 1580 A.D.

Complete answer: Option D: The Dahsala system of taxation was a very efficient and effective record system under which the land was measured in “ Bighas” by connecting bamboo pieces with each other rather than measuring the land with rope for better accuracy. The farmers had a choice of paying the tax in cash or crop to the government and they would receive a receipt for each payment made to the government. Under the system, farmers could obtain easy loans and the government excluded the tax payment for the bad crop yield.

Akbar divided the empire into fifteen provinces for better functioning of the Dahsala system and these provinces were further divided into districts, where a Faujdar was the head and a military officer of that district. Amil Guzar were the revenue collectors they supervised the revenue administration and had to protect the peasantry from fraudulent robbers and miscreants. Another important post was of the Bitkshi, who was an assistant to the Amil guzars and was in charge of producing receipts of payment and had to maintain records of monthly expenditure. The treasurer was known as Khazandar who was responsible for the collection of revenue in the district, whereas the Muqaddam and Patwari were in charge of the administration of the village.
Options A, B and C can be eliminated. Therefore, option D is correct.

Note: The system although had certain drawbacks in the sense that they misused the authority while measuring the land making the revenue payment inaccurate. The revenue officials were corrupt and dishonest too.