Indian History and World History (Part-21)

In Mughal India, all temporary and circumstantial taxes and impositions levied by the government over and above regular taxes were called Abwabs.

Land tax was assessed by Todar Mal after a field-to-field survey.

During the nawab period, a variety of abwabs were imposed on ZAMINDARS, who conveniently transferred them onto their raiyats. The practice of collecting abwabs began to decline from the 1920s.

The term 'Jama' referred to the amount assessed in the land revenue system of mughal empire.

The Red Fort Complex, also known as the Red Fort, was built by Shah Jahan in the 17th century. This fort is in the shape of an extraordinary octagon with two large sides on the east a. 1 west and the main gate, one on the west and the other on the south. These are called Lahori Gate and Delhi Gate respectively The architectural design of the structures built inside the fort reflects a blend of Persian, Timurid and Indian architectural styles. Isfahan, the capital of Persia, is said to have provided the inspiration for the construction of the Red Fort complex.

Mughal chronicles such as the Akbar Nama were written in Persian, while others, like Babur's memoirs, were translated from Turkish into Persian Babur Nama. Urdu was derived from the amalgamation of Persian with Hindavi.

The construction of the Agra fort was started in 1565 during the reign of Mughal Emperor Akbar.

The construction of Taj Mahal was started in 1632 by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan

and that of Purana Quila was started by Sher Shah Suri in 1540.