ZEMINDAR Meaning and
Definition
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Zemindar refers to a historical term that originated in India during the Mughal and British colonial periods. This term is predominantly used in the context of land revenue administration and refers to a landholder or landowner who held significant authority and rights over a particular territory.
The term "zemindar" originates from the Persian words "zem" (meaning land) and "dar" (meaning holder), which cumulatively implies the one who possesses or controls the land. Zemindars were primarily bestowed with the responsibility of collecting taxes from the peasants or tenants residing on their land. These taxes, commonly known as "land revenue" or "rent," were periodically collected by the zemindar and then submitted to the ruling authority, often the Mughal government or later the British East India Company.
Zemindari estates were typically large landholdings, often comprising several villages or even entire districts. The zemindars held considerable power over the local populace, including both administrative and judicial authority within their territories. In return for their services, zemindars were entitled to retain a portion of the collected revenue for their personal use. However, during the British colonial rule, the power and privileges of the zemindars were significantly curtailed as the British colonial administration implemented various land reforms that aimed to centralize control and maximize revenue collection efficiency.
In contemporary usage, "zemindar" is not widely used, and its significance lies in the historical context of land administration during the Mughal and British colonial eras in India.
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In India, a feudatory or landholder under Government.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
Common Misspellings for ZEMINDAR
- xemindar
- semindar
- aemindar
- zdmindar
- zrmindar
- z4mindar
- z3mindar
- zenindar
- zekindar
- zejindar
- zemundar
- zemjndar
- zemkndar
- zemondar
- zem9ndar
- zem8ndar
- zemibdar
- zemimdar
- zemijdar
- zemihdar
Etymology of ZEMINDAR
The word "zemindar" is derived from the Persian term "zemīndār" (زمیندار), which is a combination of "zemīn" (زمین) meaning "land" and "-dār" (دار) meaning "owner" or "possessor". It was initially used in the Indian subcontinent during the Mughal Empire period to refer to a landowner or landlord who held a specific rank within the feudal system. The term eventually made its way into the English language, primarily through colonial administration, and has been used to describe similar landowners in South Asia.
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