Thokdar

In in feudal India, Thokdar, also known as Sayana, was a hereditary title held by those responsible for revenue collection within administrative units called parganas. Thokdars acted as intermediaries between central authorities and local village-level administration, ensuring efficient collection of taxes and dues.^[1][2][3][4]

System structure

Within the parganas, Thokdars appointed Padhans, who managed village-level revenue collection. In some areas, they held significant authority, shaping local administrative and social structures.^[1][2]

Role and responsibilities

Thokdars were primarily responsible for:

• Revenue collection: They supervised and collected revenue from the villages under their jurisdiction, often through appointed village-level officers called Padhans.
• Offerings and entitlements: Thokdars received nazrana (offerings) from the villages during festivals, family ceremonies, and other occasions. They were also entitled to a portion of certain local resources, such as a leg of every goat killed during communal or religious festivals in their divisions.
• Land rights: Thokdars enjoyed portions of rent-free land in their own villages and exercised significant influence over local land-related matters.
• Hereditary status: The title of Thokdar was hereditary, passing down within families across generations.^[1][2]

Thokdar surnames

• Bisht
• Negi^{[5] [6]}
• Mahar^[7]