Compare and contrast tax farming in the Ottoman Empire (called iltizam) and the zamindar system in the Mughal Empire. Include definitions, at least two differences, and at least two similarities. (Google iltizam and zamindar to help you compare and contrast these ideas)

Iltizam:

Ilitizam's were introduced in the 15th Century Ottoman Empire by Mehmet the Conqueror. Similar to "Tax Farming'', a piece of land would be leased to a third-party contractor, who would manage it and earn a living while giving a fixed income every year to the land owner.

Zamindar System:

Zamindar, literally meaning land owner, was a system that developed naturally over the Mughal era. It was similar to the Ottoman system where the local land owners held small portions of land and had the heredity right to collect revenue and pay a fixed income to the government.

Similarity:

1. Both of these systems were supported by the central government and ensured a system of tax collection. There were hereditary rights as well

2. Both of the systems helped to foster feudal systems and a powerful local land owning class that had considerable influence in rural areas

Differences:

1. In the Ottoman system, the land was sold to local wealthy families who would then earn from the land and pay tax. However, in the Mughal system, the zamindars did not own the land and could not ask farmers to abandon them as long as the tax was paid. In later years, with the collapse of the Mughal Empire, the zamindars used their powerful and money to forcefully take over the land.

2. While the Ottoman system of Iltizam was eventually replaced by Malikane, the Zamindar system was maintained till the end of the Mughal Empire.