In Mughal history, Todar Mal is especially remembered for his contribution to which field of administration under Emperor Akbar?

Introduction / Context:
This question comes from medieval Indian history and the administration of the Mughal Empire. Raja Todar Mal was one of Akbar's famous Navratnas, or nine jewels, and is widely known for his work in reorganising the revenue system. Exam questions frequently ask which field he was associated with to ensure that candidates remember key contributors to Akbar's administration.

Given Data / Assumptions:

Todar Mal is mentioned by name under Akbar's rule.
We need to identify the main area of his contribution.
Options include land revenue reforms, music and literature, law and music, and law and literature.
We rely on standard NCERT style information about Akbar's ministers.

Concept / Approach:
The key concept is the revenue administration system known as Zabti or Dahsala, which standardised land revenue on the basis of average produce and prices. Todar Mal was the finance minister who organised land surveys, classification, and revenue assessment, making him central to land revenue reforms. The other fields listed in the options tailor to different members of Akbar's court, such as Tansen for music, which helps to eliminate distractors.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that Akbar relied on talented officials in different areas, including finance, law, culture, and military affairs. Step 2: Remember that Todar Mal served as finance minister and designed a detailed system for land measurement, crop based assessment, and fair tax collection. Step 3: Recognise that this work is collectively described as land revenue reforms in Mughal history. Step 4: Compare this known role with the options and identify land revenue reforms as the correct match. Step 5: Confirm that music, literature, and legal scholarship are not Todar Mal's primary contributions in historical records.

Verification / Alternative check:
History texts routinely mention that Todar Mal's reforms included systematic land surveys, classification of soils, and fixation of state demand based on the average of produce over a number of years. These measures made revenue collection more reliable and reduced arbitrary assessments. The same books list other Navratnas like Tansen for music and Abul Fazl for literature and administration, which helps confirm that land revenue reforms belong to Todar Mal.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Music and literature were domains of artists and scholars such as Tansen and Abul Fazl, not Todar Mal. Law and music as a pair does not describe any well known role of Todar Mal. Law and literature better fits other courtiers and chroniclers. None of these combinations match the detailed financial and agrarian reforms associated with him.

Common Pitfalls:
A frequent error is to confuse different Navratnas and assign the wrong field to each name, for example mixing up Todar Mal with Tansen. Another pitfall is to treat all ministers as general administrators instead of remembering their specialised roles. To avoid this, candidates should pair each figure with a keyword, such as Todar Mal and land revenue, Tansen and music, and Abul Fazl and chronicles.

Final Answer:
Todar Mal is particularly associated with land revenue reforms in Akbar's administration.