Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
In the administrative records of the Mughal and later periods, terms derived from Persian and Arabic were used to describe land and its usage.
Understanding these terms is key to deciphering historical documents related to agrarian history.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
The term "Mulk Abadi" can be broken down:
- "Mulk" usually means a territory or country.
- "Abadi" comes from "Abad," meaning populated, settled, or cultivated.
In historical context, "Mulk Abadi" specifically referred to the areas of a province or kingdom that were actively "cultivated and inhabited."
These were the areas that provided the bulk of the land revenue (Mal) to the state because they were populated by taxpayers and produced crops.
This stood in contrast to forest areas or wild frontier regions that were not yet brought under the administration's settled revenue system.
- Option (A) is wrong as military administration was usually under the 'Mansabdari' system.
- Option (B) is wrong as forest revenue had different nomenclatures.
- Option (D) is wrong as taxes on traders were called 'Zakat' or 'Sair'.
Step 3: Final Answer:
Thus, "Mulk Abadi" refers to land that is settled and farmed.
The correct answer is (C).