What is "zamindari"

Zamindary \Zam"in*da*ry\, Zamindari \Zam"in*da*ri\, n. The jurisdiction of a zamindar; the land possessed by a zamindar. [Written also zemindary, zemindari.]

alt. 1 (context historical English) In British India, a system used to collect revenues from the ryots (cultivators of agricultural land) indirectly through the zamindars, as opposed to ryotwari, where revenues were collected directly. 2 (context historical English) The office or jurisdiction of a zamindar. 3 (context historical English) The land possessed by a zamindar. n. 1 (context historical English) In British India, a system used to collect revenues from the ryots (cultivators of agricultural land) indirectly through the zamindars, as opposed to ryotwari, where revenues were collected directly. 2 (context historical English) The office or jurisdiction of a zamindar. 3 (context historical English) The land possessed by a zamindar.