Usually with the. Originally: those parts of India outside the three Presidency capitals of the East India Company (Bombay, Calcutta, and Madras); (more generally) those parts of India outside any of the large cities. In later use: the rural localities of a district of India as distinguished from its chief station or town.

Used principally during or with reference to the period of British rule in India.

Of, relating to, belonging to, or living in the mofussil; remote, rural, provincial.