The correct option is Muqaddam.
Explanation
In the Mughal administrative structure, the village (mauza) was the primary unit of administration. The state relied on hereditary village officials to maintain order and facilitate revenue collection at the grassroots level.Detailed Analysis:
- Muqaddam (or Mandal): The village headman was traditionally known as the Muqaddam. In various regions, this official was interchangeably referred to as the Mandal. The headman was the executive head of the village panchayat and acted as the link between the state machinery and the village community. His primary duties included supervising village affairs, maintaining law and order, and assisting revenue officials in tax collection.
- Patwari: This term refers to the village accountant. The Patwari was responsible for maintaining records of land ownership, cultivation, and revenue assessment, distinct from the executive role of the headman.
- Zamindar: These were a class of landed intermediaries with hereditary rights to collect revenue from a specific area. While powerful, they were distinct from the village-level administrative functionaries like the Muqaddam.
- Raiyat: This term (often spelled Ryot) refers to the ordinary peasant or cultivator, not an administrative official.
Key Takeaway:
In Mughal village administration, the terms Muqaddam and Mandal were synonymous titles used for the village headman.