Definition

A system of land ownership and tax collection in which a zamindar, or landowner, manages a specific area and collects taxes from the farmers who work the land.

Example

The zamindari system was prevalent in many parts of India during the colonial period.

Conversation

I read an interesting article about the zamindari system in India.

Oh really? I’ve heard about it, but I don’t know much.

It was fascinating to learn how the zamindari system worked for tax collection.

That does sound intriguing; I should look it up!

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Zamindari originates from the Persian word 'zamindar' (meaning landowner) combined with the suffix '-i' (indicating a state or condition). The term refers to the system or condition of land ownership by zamindars, who were responsible for collecting taxes from the peasants.

Memory Tip

Think of 'zamindar' as a 'landowner' and remember that 'zamindari' refers to the condition or system of land ownership.

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