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TODAR MAL
MEMORIAL LECTURE SERIES
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Todar Mal belonged to a
Khatri family of Uttar Pradesh. He joined the services of Emperor Akbar
as an ordinary clerk. His rise to higher echelons of administration was
very fast and in 1572 he was appointed "Diwan" of the Province of Gujarat. In recognition of his
efficiency and brilliance, he was promoted to the post of
"Wazir" and was one of the Navratna's of Emperor Akbar's Court.
Raja Todar Mal is credited with
systematising the land revenue system. As "Wazir" he issued
comprehensive orders covering almost all phases of Land revenue
assessment and collection. He got the cultivable lands measured once and
for all and area under cultivation was assigned after making enquiries at
the time the crop was standing. Thus during his time, surveying was given
a strong footing. He rationalised the land tax rates and even introduced
the concept of compensation for crop damage.
Todar Mal was not only a brilliant
Administrator but also a good soldier and a General. He had the sagacity and
foresight to see the unifying effect of a common language for the entire
administration. With this end in view, he made all the records in Persian
language and compelled everyone who held the subordinate posts in
villages and towns to adopt Persian as their language. What has
immortalised Todar Mal was the revenue assessment and land survey system,
which he evolved. Though the Mogul dynasty vanished, the system he
introduced remained and was followed by both the Marathas and to a great
extent by the Britishers.
He
passed away in the year 1659.
Keeping in view of Raja Todar Mal's
contribution to the cause of land revenue and land survey and the sound
base, which he laid for cadastral surveys, Indian National Cartographic
Association has started organising these Memorial lecture series in his
memory. The first lecture in the series was delivered in the year 1994
and has continued every year. The details of lecture series are furnished
below:
