Istimrari
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Istimrari estates were small feudal states in 17th- and 18th-century Rajputana.[a] The istimrari chieftains, the istimrardars, paid tribute to their Maratha masters, but were not compelled to participate in wars unless called upon by their respective chiefs. Part of the Indian feudal system of the time, there were sixty-six istimararis in the Ajmer region of Rajputana. A related land estate existed alongside the istimraris in Rajputana: Bhum were Rajput-specific land rights, granted as allodial titles, which were freely inheritable and inalienable by the original proprietor or the government. Although smaller estates, titles to bhums were highly valued even by istimrardars and higher chiefs.
Tazimi istimrardars
The istimarari estates were originally only jagirs, which were held under obligation of military service. The Marathas, however, who found it impolitic to encourage the warlike tendencies of their Rajput vassals, commuted this obligation to a fixed tribute.[1]
The istimrari chieftains,[2] accordingly, acquired the status of holders at a fixed and permanent quit-rent.[3]: 528 Although during the earlier period of British rule extra cesses were levied from time to time, in 1841 the government remitted all such collections (fees) for the future. In 1873 sanads (written grant or deed) were granted to the various istimrardars, declaring their existing assessments to be fixed in perpetuity. There was, however, a special duty (nazardna) or quasi-inheritance tax, payable on successions, its amount being separately stipulated in each sanad.[1]
There were altogether sixty-six istimrari estates in the Ajmer region. These were divided into tazimi (from Urdu: تعظیم, romanized: ta'zīm, borrowed from Arabic: تعظيم, lit. 'honour, respect'), belonging to the aristocracy of the province and non-tazimi, being those held by persons of lesser status.
The tazimi istimrari numbered sixteen and were:[1]
- Bhinai
- Sawar
- Masuda
- Pisangan
- Junia
- Deolia
- Kharwa
- Bandanwara
- Mehrun
- Para
- Kerote
- Deogaon-Baghera
- Gobindgarh
- Tantuti (Tantoti)
- Barli
- Bagsuri
