Zamindar
Noun
UK
/ˈzæm.ɪn.dɑː/
US
/ˈzæm.ɪn.dɑːr/
Level: Easy - A1 (Beginner)
Definition
A person who owned land and collected taxes in old India.
Example
"The zamindar lived in a big house and ruled over the nearby farms."
"Farmers paid part of their crops to the zamindar as tax."
"Today, the word zamindar is used mainly when talking about Indian history."
Explanation
A zamindar (also spelled zemindar in historical writings or British records) was a landowner in old India who collected taxes from farmers and gave part of the money to the rulers or government. Zamindars were powerful and often had large houses and helpers. This word is used mostly when talking about India’s history, not in modern life. Example: The zamindar owned many farms and collected money from people working there.