Revenue Policies
Revenue Policies
Revenue Policies
Presented by: Harjit Singh Pinegrove School, Dharampur Distt.Solan (H.P.) harjits_bal@yahoo.com
The British domination over Indian land started in the 17th century and by the end of that century the British rule extended over large areas with the fall of Mughal empire, defeat of the Marathas and subjugation of local powers. The British inherited the institutional form of agrarian system from the Mughals. The British superimposed a system over the existing pattern in tune with British customs and laws relating land. Broadly three principal types of land revenue system were introduced in British India. The basic characteristic of each system was the attempt to incorporate elements of the preceding agrarian structure.
After the battle of Buxar in 1764, the East India Company got the privilege of collecting the land Revenue. Different land revenue systems were introduced in various part of British India, as the British annexed different parts of India in various periods. Let us have introspection into three broad land revenue systems introduced by the British. These land revenue systems are 1. Zamindari system, 2. Rywotari System 3. Mahalwari System.
Permanent Settlement
1. It was introduced by Cornwallis in 1793 in Bengal, Bihar and Orissa. 2. The system was also found in large parts of Northern India except Avdh, Agra, Jaipur and Jodhpur 3. The Permanent settlement Act was passed in 1793 and initially introduced in Bengal. 4. This gave proprietary right to Zamindars. 5. Zamindars Become the permanent owners of the land 6. Zamindars got the right to collect land revenue. 7. They were required to pay a fixed amount of land revenues. 8. Land revenue fixed at 50% of total produce 9. Land was mortgaged incase of non-repayment of loan.
Merits of Permanent Settlement: The government revenue became certain. The government got the support of a new class of zamindar as they were also benefited from this system and they became supporters of East India Company.
Demerits of Permanent Settlement: Agriculture development stopped and farmers were now changed into laborers.
Merits or advantages of New Revenue Policies 1. 2. 3. 4. Food grains become a part of import and export. Development in plantation. Boost in cotton cultivation in Black Soil areas of Deccan. The trade of Indian Jute, coffee and tea become a profitable export.
By these Revenue Policies, Indian peasants did not get any profit and advantage. The Britishers and their agents, they gains maximum from trade and collection of revenues. Thank You
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