The term
Mouzadar refers to a person who takes tax of a
mouza (revenue collection unit). Historically, they were influential hereditary
aristocratic nobility figures in Assam's socio-political landscape during the feudal era during the
Kamarupa Kingdom to the
Ahom Dynasty; similar to small
Monarch. These mighty landlords played essential roles in administration and governance, maintaining their significance until fall of the British colonial rule.
Etymology and history
The name literally translates to
mouza as 'a large unit of land', from the
Farsi suffix
-dar (دار/দার) 'possessor'.
The feudal system
The mouzadars were central to Assam's feudal system, managing large landholdings and collecting taxes for the
monarchy. They acted as
intermediaries between the central authority and local populations, often commanding small
soldiery forces for maintaining law and order. This diminished direct royal governance, empowering local leaders like the mouzadars to enforce policies and make administrative decisions. As landowners, they often enjoyed
tax exemptions, enhancing their power and social status.
Role in administration
In governance, mouzadars collaborated with
officials such as mandals and satradhikars. They were not just tax collectors, but also
judicial authorities, resolving
disputes and maintaining order in their jurisdictions. Their role as local guardians fostered stability and
social cohesion during conflicts. A single mouzadar typically oversaw multiple villages or considerable land areas, which could range from hundreds to thousands of
acres.
Influence
Mouzadars, particularly in the Lower Assam division, historically controlled large areas of land that were politically tense due to frequent minor attacks from central Indian ruling dynasties. Their role was crucial in defending the mainland, and they also imposed
taxes as trade routes passed through their territories. Additionally, mouzadars often financed the war expenses of kings by providing loans, which the kings were expected to repay. If repayment did not occur, mouzadars would shift their support to the opposing rulers during conflicts, ensuring their own security and that of their
aristocratic class.
As a result, mouzadars became wealthy and respected aristocrats during the monarch era, wielding significant royal powers. Many maintained close relationships with royal families and the aristocracy, which further strengthened their socio-political standing. These connections granted them various privileges, such as tax exemptions and considerable influence in royal affairs. Their hereditary status created a local nobility that played a significant role in governance in Assam until British colonial rule transformed the political landscape.
Decline of power and transition
The influence of the mouzadars began to decline during the onset of the British Raj, when temporary non-hereditary mouzadars were introduced as
officials who, in some circumstances, could replace the
hereditary mouzadars whenever the permanent mouzadars could not collect the required amount of tax in their
mouza, for the colonial government.
After India's independence, new administrative structures and land revenue systems disrupted the traditional feudal hierarchy. Many lost their by-birth privileges, resulting in a transformation of local governance. However, some chose to support the struggle for independence, repurposing their influence for social change and leaving behind their privileged lifestyles.
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