Explanations:The term "ijardar" refers to an individual who was granted the right to collect revenue from a particular area in exchange for a fixed payment to the state. This system was a form of revenue farming and was prevalent in medieval India. The ijardar was responsible for managing the revenue collection process and ensuring that the state received its due share. This role was more administrative and involved the management of revenue collection and the administration of the lands from which the revenue was derived.
It is important to understand the distinction between ijardars and other roles such as general farmers or tax collectors. While ijardars were involved in farming in the sense of managing revenue from agricultural lands, they were not simply farmers. Their role was more administrative and involved the collection and management of revenue. Similarly, while they did collect revenue, they were not merely tax collectors. Their role was more complex, involving the management of revenue collection and the administration of the lands from which the revenue was derived.
The ijardar system was a significant part of the revenue management system in medieval India. It allowed the state to collect revenue efficiently by delegating the responsibility to individuals who had a vested interest in managing the lands effectively. This system was widely used in various regions of India and was an important aspect of the administrative and economic structure of the time.
Understanding the role of ijardars is crucial for comprehending the historical administrative and economic systems in India. It highlights the complexity of revenue management and the various roles that were involved in ensuring the state's financial stability. This knowledge is particularly relevant for students preparing for competitive examinations such as the UPSC, SSC, and Civil Services, where questions on historical administrative roles and systems are common.