Which one among the following depicts the correct meaning of the term Jins-i-kamil concerning crops in Mughal India?

In the context of Mughal agrarian history, the term 'jins-i-kamil' literally translates to 'perfect crops' [3]. These were high-value crops that the Mughal state actively encouraged peasants to cultivate because they generated significantly more revenue for the empire compared to subsistence food grains [1]. Primary examples of jins-i-kamil included cotton and sugarcane, which were considered 'par excellence' due to their commercial value [1]. Cotton was extensively grown across central India and the Deccan, while Bengal was renowned for its sugar production [1]. Other crops categorized under this term included oilseeds like mustard and various lentils [1]. These crops are essentially what we define today as 'cash crops' because they were grown primarily for sale in the market to pay land taxes in cash, rather than for direct consumption [2].

Sources

1. [1] THEMES IN INDIAN HISTORY PART II, History CLASS XII (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 8: Peasants, Zamindars and the State > 1.4 An abundance of crops > p. 200
2. [3] https://satheessc.iitk.ac.in/sathee-ssc/student-corner/ncert-books/class-12/themes-in-indian-history/chapter-08-peasants-zamindars-eight-and-the-state-agrarian-society-and-the-mughal-empire/
3. [2] History , class XI (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 14: The Mughal Empire > 14.10 Economy > p. 215