Vatandar

The Vatandar, or Watandar (Hindi: वतनदार) is an Indian term meaning "landholder". The title was given to landowners, particularly in Maharashtra.^[1]

The vatandar generally owned a plot of land or vatan/watan worked by the local people, who were dependent on the vatandar for their subsistence. In some cases, vatan land and the title vatandar were awarded to an individual by a higher ruler as reward for meritorious service.^[2]

The grant of a watan plot differed from the grant of an inam and a person might hold either or both. While a watan was a hereditary rent-free grant to a village resident in lieu of services that the resident was expected to perform for the village on an ongoing basis, an inam was granted in recognition of past service to the state, usually but not always in relation to the military. A watan grant continued for as long as its holder had the confidence of the village community, whilst an inam grant, which might also take the form of a share of village land revenues, was held in perpetuity.^[3]

^ Catanach, I. J. (2023-04-28). Rural Credit in Western India 1875–1930: Rural Credit and the Co-operative Movement in the Bombay Presidency. New Delhi, India, Asia: Univ of California Press. p. 15. ISBN 978-0-520-32782-5.
^ Wankhede, Deepak Mahadeo Rao (2009). Geographical Thought of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar. New Delhi, India, Asia: Gautam Book Center. p. 157. ISBN 978-81-87733-88-1.
^ Kulkarni, A. R. (2000). "The Mahar Watan: A Historical Perspective". In Kosambi, Meera (ed.). Intersections: Socio-Cultural Trends in Maharashtra. London: Sangam. pp. 121–140. ISBN 978-0863118241. Archived from the original on 20 April 2023. Retrieved 13 December 2016.

[1] Catanach, I. J. (2023-04-28). Rural Credit in Western India 1875–1930: Rural Credit and the Co-operative Movement in the Bombay Presidency. New Delhi, India, Asia: Univ of California Press. p. 15. ISBN 978-0-520-32782-5.

[2] Wankhede, Deepak Mahadeo Rao (2009). Geographical Thought of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar. New Delhi, India, Asia: Gautam Book Center. p. 157. ISBN 978-81-87733-88-1.

[3] Kulkarni, A. R. (2000). "The Mahar Watan: A Historical Perspective". In Kosambi, Meera (ed.). Intersections: Socio-Cultural Trends in Maharashtra. London: Sangam. pp. 121–140. ISBN 978-0863118241. Archived from the original on 20 April 2023. Retrieved 13 December 2016.

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