A zamindar, also known as zomindar, zomidar, or jomidar (Hindustani: Devanagari: ज़मींदार, zamīndār; Persian: زمیندار‎, zamīndār) in the Indian subcontinent was an autonomous or semiautonomous ruler of a province. The term itself came into use during the reign of Mughals and later the British had begun using it as a native synonym for “estate”. The term means land owner in Persian. Typically hereditary, from whom they reserved the right to collect tax on behalf of imperial courts or for military purposes.During the period of British colonial rule in India many wealthy and influential zamindars were bestowed with princely and royal titles such as maharaja (great king), raja/rai (king) and nawab.