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Zamindar
The 'Zamindari System' is a kind of feudal system, introduced by the Mughals to collect taxes from peasants. The practice was continued under British rule. After independence, however, the system was abolished in India and East Pakistan (present day Bangladesh), but is still current in Pakistan.
The word 'Zamindar' has for some time been used for a peasant who owns land.
Zamindar was also the name of a popular and very influencial Muslim newspaper in the Indian subcontinent run by Maulana Zafar Ali Khan .
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Mughal Era
In the Mughal Era, the Zamindari system was begun to ensure proper collection of taxes during a period when the power and influence of the Mughal emperors was in decline.
British Era
Zamindar was the name of landlords in colonial India.
The Zamindari system was a way of collecting taxes from peasants in which the zamindar would collect all taxes on his lands and then hand over the collected taxes to the British authorities (leaving a portion to himself). The similarities to medieval feudalism are evident.
After Partition in India
The Zamindari system was mostly abolished in India soon after its independence.
After Partition in East Pakistan
The abolition of the Zamindari system (which divided the society into lords, owners of property, and commoners, users of property) in East Pakistan (1950) was a major landmark in Bangladesh's movement to a "people's state".
In West Pakistan (present day Pakistan)
In present day Pakistan the Zamindari System is still present, especially in the provinces of Sindh and Punjab. Zamindars are known by different terms in different provinces. In Sindh, for example, zamindars are known as 'Wadara', while n Punjab, different terms such as 'Chauhdari' and 'Malik' are used.
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