[Solved] With reference to revenue collection by Cornwallis, consider the following statements: Under the Ryotwari Settlement of revenue collection, the peasants were (exempted from revenue payment in case pagne of bad harvests or natural calamities. Under the Permanent Settlement in Bengal if the Zamindar failed to pay his (revenues to the state on of before the hxed date, he would be removed from his Zamindari. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Q47. With reference to revenue collection by Cornwallis, consider the following statements:

1. Under the Ryotwari Settlement of revenue collection, the peasants were (exempted from revenue payment in case pagne of bad harvests or natural calamities.
2. Under the Permanent Settlement in Bengal if the Zamindar failed to pay his (revenues to the state on of before the hxed date, he would be removed from his Zamindari.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 nor 2

Answer : 2

· The Ryotwari settlement was a land revenue system in British India that allowed the government to collect taxes directly from peasants, or ryots, instead of through intermediaries.

· Under this system the peasants, farmers or cultivators had right over the land, till the time they pay the due tax on time. There was no exemption, even in the face of natural vagaries. They had the freedom to sublet, transfer, or sell their land as they wished. Hence, statement 1 is incorrect.

· The rate was 50% in dry lands and 60% in the wetland, subjected to periodic revision after a period of around 30 years.

· It was introduced by Captain Reed assisted by Thomas Munro first in Baramahal district of Madras presidency. Thomas Munro, when he became Governor of Madras, in 1820, extended it to the entire province ( except Northern areas of the province, wherein Permanent settlement system was in practice. )

· It was later extended to Bombay, Parts of Bengal, Assam, Coorg etc.

· The Permanent Settlement was an agreement between the British East India company and the Landlords of Bengal in order to fix the land revenue. It was first introduced in Bengal by the British under Governor general Lord Cornwallis in 1793 and expanded to Bihar, Odisha, Northern Madras, Benaras, covering around 19% of British Indian Territories.

· The land revenue to be collected was fixed and was agreed to not increase in the future. 10/11th of the land revenue collected was to be given to the British and 1/11th of it was to be retained by the zamindar.

· The zamindar who was earlier only tax collector, became landlord under this system. He had the right to transfer or sell the property and was given hereditary rights for succession of land under their ownership. However, under the ‘sunset clause’ introduced in 1794, if the tax were not paid by sunset on a specified date, the Zamindari would be confiscated by the government and auctioned off, transferring ownership rights to the highest bidder. Hence, statement 2 is correct.

Comparison of Revenue Systems

LAND REVENUE POLICY UNDER BRITISH

Question Here

Explanation Here