A jagirdar was a landholder in India during the Mughal era and later under British rule. They were granted a jagir, which is a piece of land, in return for military service or loyalty to the ruling authority. Jagirdars had the right to collect taxes from the land and were responsible for maintaining law and order in their territories. The system of jagirdari was part of the broader feudal structure in India, where local rulers held significant power. This system often led to the emergence of regional powers, influencing the political landscape of the time. The role of jagirdars diminished with the introduction of land reforms in the 20th century.