With reference to the classification of peasants in the Mughal agrarian society, consider the following statements: 1. Khud-kashta were residents of the village in which they held their lands. 2. Pahi-kashta were the hereditary owners of the village lands. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Correct Option The correct option is 1 only Explanation In the Mughal agrarian system, peasants (raiyats or muzarian) were broadly divided into two categories based on their residency and land rights: Khud-kashta and Pahi-kashta. This classification defined their relationship with the land and the village community. Statement-wise Analysis - Statement 1 is Correct: Khud-kashta were resident cultivators. They lived in the village where they held their lands. They owned their own agricultural implements (such as ploughs and bullocks) and possessed hereditary rights over their land as long as they paid the revenue. They formed the core of the village community. - Statement 2 is Incorrect: Pahi-kashta were non-resident cultivators. They were peasants who cultivated lands in a village different from the one where they resided. They were not hereditary owners of the land in the village where they worked; instead, they cultivated land on a contractual basis. They often moved to other villages due to favorable revenue terms or economic distress. Key Takeaway Khud-kashta refers to self-cultivating peasants residing in their own village with hereditary rights, whereas Pahi-kashta refers to outsiders or non-resident cultivators working on contractual terms.

NCERT Class 12 History — Chapter 4: Peasants, Zamindars and the State - Agrarian Society and the Mughal Empire (c. 16th - 17th centuries)

mcqeasy

With reference to the classification of peasants in the Mughal agrarian society, consider the following statements:

Khud-kashta were residents of the village in which they held their lands.
Pahi-kashta were the hereditary owners of the village lands.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Official previous-year question

Verified 1 Aug 2026.

Options

A1 only
B2 only
CBoth 1 and 2
DNeither 1 nor 2

Did you get this right?

Solution

Correct Option

The correct option is

1 only

Explanation

In the Mughal agrarian system, peasants (raiyats or muzarian) were broadly divided into two categories based on their residency and land rights: Khud-kashta and Pahi-kashta. This classification defined their relationship with the land and the village community.

Statement-wise Analysis

Statement 1 is Correct: Khud-kashta were resident cultivators. They lived in the village where they held their lands. They owned their own agricultural implements (such as ploughs and bullocks) and possessed hereditary rights over their land as long as they paid the revenue. They formed the core of the village community.
Statement 2 is Incorrect: Pahi-kashta were non-resident cultivators. They were peasants who cultivated lands in a village different from the one where they resided. They were not hereditary owners of the land in the village where they worked; instead, they cultivated land on a contractual basis. They often moved to other villages due to favorable revenue terms or economic distress.

Key Takeaway

Khud-kashta refers to self-cultivating peasants residing in their own village with hereditary rights, whereas Pahi-kashta refers to outsiders or non-resident cultivators working on contractual terms.

Your note

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Correct Option

The correct option is

1 only

Explanation

Statement-wise Analysis

Statement 1 is Correct: Khud-kashta were resident cultivators. They lived in the village where they held their lands. They owned their own agricultural implements (such as ploughs and bullocks) and possessed hereditary rights over their land as long as they paid the revenue. They formed the core of the village community.
Statement 2 is Incorrect: Pahi-kashta were non-resident cultivators. They were peasants who cultivated lands in a village different from the one where they resided. They were not hereditary owners of the land in the village where they worked; instead, they cultivated land on a contractual basis. They often moved to other villages due to favorable revenue terms or economic distress.