57
Question 57
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 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 or before the fixed date, he would be removed from his Zamindari.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
1. Under the Ryotwari Settlement of revenue collection, the peasants were exempted from revenue payment in case 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 or before the fixed date, he would be removed from his Zamindari.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
AOptions
A
A) 1 only
B
B) 2 only
C
C) Both 1 and 2
D
D) Neither 1 nor 2
BSolution
Let's analyze each statement:
1. Statement 1 is incorrect. The Ryotwari Settlement was introduced primarily by Thomas Munro and Alexander Read, not Cornwallis. Cornwallis is famously associated with the Permanent Settlement. More importantly, even under Ryotwari, the revenue demand was often very high and fixed, and peasants were generally *not* exempted from payment during bad harvests or natural calamities. Remissions were rare and discretionary, and failure to pay often led to eviction. The system aimed at direct revenue collection from the cultivators (ryots), but it often resulted in severe pressure on them.
2. Statement 2 is correct. The Permanent Settlement (1793), introduced by Lord Cornwallis in Bengal, Bihar, and Odisha, fixed the land revenue demand permanently with the Zamindars. The system included a strict 'Sunset Clause,' meaning that if a Zamindar failed to pay the fixed amount by the stipulated date (sunset), their Zamindari rights would be immediately forfeited and sold off to the highest bidder. This was a deliberate policy to ensure punctual revenue collection and create a loyal class of landlords. This provision indeed led to the removal of many old Zamindars and the rise of new ones.
Therefore, only statement 2 is correct.
1. Statement 1 is incorrect. The Ryotwari Settlement was introduced primarily by Thomas Munro and Alexander Read, not Cornwallis. Cornwallis is famously associated with the Permanent Settlement. More importantly, even under Ryotwari, the revenue demand was often very high and fixed, and peasants were generally *not* exempted from payment during bad harvests or natural calamities. Remissions were rare and discretionary, and failure to pay often led to eviction. The system aimed at direct revenue collection from the cultivators (ryots), but it often resulted in severe pressure on them.
2. Statement 2 is correct. The Permanent Settlement (1793), introduced by Lord Cornwallis in Bengal, Bihar, and Odisha, fixed the land revenue demand permanently with the Zamindars. The system included a strict 'Sunset Clause,' meaning that if a Zamindar failed to pay the fixed amount by the stipulated date (sunset), their Zamindari rights would be immediately forfeited and sold off to the highest bidder. This was a deliberate policy to ensure punctual revenue collection and create a loyal class of landlords. This provision indeed led to the removal of many old Zamindars and the rise of new ones.
Therefore, only statement 2 is correct.
CStrategy
For land revenue systems, accurately associate the system with its introducer and its core features. Pay attention to who was responsible for revenue payment and the consequences of non-payment. Be careful not to mix up features of different systems.
DSyllabus Analysis
History: Modern Indian History (Land Revenue Systems, British Policies).
EQuestion Analysis
This is a factual question from Modern Indian History. It tests specific knowledge of British land revenue policies. Statement 1 incorrectly attributes Ryotwari to Cornwallis and misrepresents its leniency. Statement 2 accurately describes a key feature of the Permanent Settlement. Medium difficulty.