Nankar

Nankar was a form of land assignment prevalent during the Mughal period in India. Specifically, it referred to a type of grant where the assignee (the nankar-dar) received revenue-free land, typically a smaller plot, as compensation for their services rendered to the state, or as a hereditary right to a portion of the land revenue.

The term nankar is derived from the Persian word nan, meaning bread or sustenance, suggesting its purpose was to provide a livelihood to the recipient. Nankar lands were often awarded to village headmen (muqaddams), patwaris (village accountants), qanungos (district revenue officials), and other local functionaries.

Unlike jagirs or inam grants, which were often transferable and of larger scale, nankar lands were usually of a more permanent and less substantial nature. They were often hereditary, meaning the right to the land and the associated benefits could be passed down through generations.

The nankar system played a significant role in the local administration and revenue collection during the Mughal era. It incentivized local officials and provided them with a stake in the stability and prosperity of the region. While the system aimed to ensure efficient administration, it also sometimes led to exploitation and abuse, as nankar-dars might misuse their position for personal gain. The system continued in various forms under subsequent rulers, including the Marathas and the British, albeit with modifications and changes to its administration.