Raja Toddar Mall was born at
Chunian one of Kasur, (Pakistan) famous and historical place. Many of old
buildings are still their. His father name was Bhagoti Das and he was from
Tondon Khatri family of Lahore. When raja was born their family was in hand to
mouth situation. But when he become Imperial Minister of Mughal Emperor Akbar he
came back to his birth place Chunian and have done much work for its betterment.
Toddar Mal overhauled the revenue system of Mughal Emperor Akbar. Akbar was not
a much educated but he had good mind that he selects right person for right
place. Toddar Mall had developed his expertise in Sher Shah's employ before
joining Akbar. Toddar Mall was loyal, brave, and intelligent and was a
respectful person in Akbar Palace. Raja Toddar Mal introduced standard weights
and measures, a land survey and settlement system, revenue districts and
officers. He can be thought of one of first statisticians in India and perhaps
in the world. Many of the fundamental data collection schemes as practiced over
the centuries in the Indian subcontinent and neighboring countries can be
attributed to him. In 1582, Akbar award on Raja Toddar Mal the title, “Diwan-I-Ashraf”.
His systematic land reforms of 1582, popularly known as the Bandobast System,
provided the framework of subsequent land taxation systems, including that
introduced by Thomas Munro.
Toddar Mall Raja gave countless performance and work as finance minister of
Akbar. He was a brave soldier, he appointed as general in Akbar’s troops. He had
played a big part when Akbar conquers Bengal. He was a good administrator also.
So in regard to his services Akbar gave him a lot of gifts, money and prizes.
Toddar Mal died in Lahore on 8th November, 1589 as per Encyclopedia of “Masheer-e-Punjab”.
He was the first ever man to translate Hindi into Persian. He was a Punjabi but
done some literature work and poetry in Hindi language.
Some of his sample poetry is as follows
“Gun ban jean kaman gur ban jese gayan
Mann ban dan jese jal ban sur hai
Gun ban geet jesse hitu ban preet jese
Weshia asreet jese phal ban tar jese
Tar ban titar jese syane ban mantar jese
Patti ban nari jese puttar ban ghar hai
Soo koi tese mann mein vichar vekho
Dharam wahin dhan paki ban parr hai”