Revenue Policy of Akbar.
Akbar Proclaimed himself the emperor on 14th February 1556. He faced a series of Political problems but overcome all the problems with his courage and ability. He conquered a number of states and organised his administrative organs. He had many important and competent ministries who advised and assisted him in running the administration of Mughal empire. Akbar had developed both civil and military administration. But he provided an excellent land revenue system. It may be observed that Akbar's land revenue system was largely based on the system created by Sher Shah. However, Akbar was immensely helped by his able ministries i,e, Muzaffar Khan, Abdulla Khan and Todar Mal.
Revenue System of Akbar
Great as a conqueror Akbar was equally great as an administrator. He not only developed civil and military system of administration but also revenue administration. He followed a systematic procedure in land revenue administration Followings are the important features of revenue system of Akbar.
a) Measurement of Land: First of all Akbar asked his officials and ministers to make the land revenue assessment according to the estimates framed by the local Qanungo and checked by the imperial authority. He directed to measure the entire land of all the provinces with the help of a standard Jarib made of bamboo pieces joined together by iron rings. He introduced fresh reforms in 1579-80 and divided his empire into 12 Subhas. He also introduced ten years settlement. The measured lands was grouped into four i.e, Polaj, Parauti, Chachar and banjar or barren land.
b) Fixation of Land Revenue : Akbar ordered his revenue officials who were under the revenue minister to impose land revenue on the basis of production. However, the state claimed one-third of the average produce as revenue. The revenue was collected by the revenue officials and it was deposited to the state treasury. Todar Mal fixed the cash rates of the produce on the basis of the average prices during the last ten years. The chachar land was imposed 1/15 of the produce in the first year, 2/15 in the second year, 1/5 in the 3rd year, 4/15 in the fourth year and 1/3 in the fifth year.
c) Zabti System : The Mughal rulers assisted the farmers and cultivators at the time of crisis. The officials were instructed not to harass the farmers for revenue. The revenue officials and collectors were asked to issue necessary receipts for the payment made by the farmers and peasants. The farmers and peasants were encouraged to make voluntary payment. Revenues were remitted in case of drought or flood or bad season. This system of revenue was known as Zabti system.
d) Different Systems of Revenue : During the Mughal rule there were different systems of revenue prevailed in different parts of the empire. In Thatta and Kabul the revenue system was traditional and it was called Ghalla Baksha. The state collected 1/3 of the total Produce. It is said that this system was bsed on Indian system. There were certain areas where Nasaq system of land revenue was in practice. In this system the farmers were directly dealing with the state.
e). Revenue Officials : Akbar had appointed special officials for the collection of the revenues. Diwan i-Ala was the topmost revenue official appointed by the emperor Akbar Raja Todar Mal was appointed to this office. Amil were the officials who were responsible to collect the land revenue at the Pargana level. However, he was assisted by the junior officials called Bitikchi, the Fotadar, the Qanungo, the Patwari and the Muqaddams. He periodically examined the records of land maintained by the Patwaris, Muqaddams and Karkoons. He used to give all information with regard to revenue collection to his higher officials.
Bitikchi was an important official who was entrusted with the responsibility of maintaining all the necessary records. Besides, he used to keep the full details of land income and expenditure. The Fotadar was responsible for collection of revenue from the peasants against receipt and deposited the amount in the treasury.
The Qanungo was a Pargana officer who rendered important services in revenue collection. The village land revenue was collected by Muqaddams and Patwaris.
From the above explanation it is quite clear that Akbar had developed an efficient system of land revenue collection. Akbar had instructed his officials to be lenient in matters of collection of land revenue. The guilty officials were given severe punishment. Besides, land revenues were relaxed during national calamities and peasants were given loans to cultivate the land. Thus the peasants led happy life and cooperate with the officials sincerely. Consequently, peace and prosperity prevailed during the rule of Akbar.
