The word "Zemindary" is spelled as /zɛmɪndərɪ/ in the IPA phonetic transcription. This word is a historical term used in India to refer to a type of land tenure system in which the land was owned by a landlord known as a zemindar. The word is spelled with a "Z" at the beginning, which is pronounced as /z/, indicating the voiced fricative sound. The middle syllable is spelled with an "i" but pronounced as /ɪ/, indicating an unstressed short vowel sound. The word ends with "-ary," which is pronounced as /ərɪ/, indicating the final syllable's Schwa sound.
Zemindary refers to a historical land tenure system primarily practiced in India during the Mughal and British colonial periods. It represents a specific form of land ownership and administration where a zamindar (landlord) held the rights to collect revenue from a designated area or estate on behalf of the ruling monarch or colonial government.
The term "zemindary" can be traced back to the Persian word "zemindar," meaning land-revenue collector. The system emerged during the Mughal Empire and was later adopted and modified by the British administration during their rule in colonial India.
Under the zemindary system, a zamindar would be granted a specific territory by the ruling authority, and they would manage and oversee the collection of revenue from peasant farmers or tenants within that area. The zamindar would retain a portion of the revenue as their own income and forward the remainder to the state or the British government. This system provided a decentralized form of governance and revenue collection in rural regions.
However, the zemindary system has faced criticism for its exploitation of peasants, as some zamindars excessively exploited tenants, leading to widespread impoverishment and debt. This inequity contributed to economic and social disparities within the agrarian society.
Over time, the zemindary system underwent various land reforms, and it was eventually abolished and replaced by other land tenure systems, particularly after India gained independence in 1947. Today, the term "zemindary" primarily has historical significance, representing an important aspect of India's agrarian past and the complex relationship between landowners and peasants during the colonial era.
The jurisdiction or district of a zemindar.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
The word "Zemindary" originates from the Hindi word "zamindari", which is derived from the Persian word "zamin" meaning "land". In historical context, a zemindary referred to a land tenure system prevalent in the Indian subcontinent during the Mughal and British colonial periods. A zemindar was a landowner or a landlord who held control over specific territories and often collected rents and taxes from the people residing on the land. Over time, the term "zemindary" has come to represent both the land tenure system and the position of the landowner in the context of Indian history.