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?
Answer:
Core Books/NCERT
Statement 1- Wrong Explanation: The ryotwari system was a land revenue system in British India introduced by Thomas Munro, not by Cornwallis. Statement 2- Correct Explanation: Features of the Permanent Settlement 1. Landlords or Zamindars were recognised as the owners of the land. They were given hereditary rights of succession of the lands under them. 2. The Zamindars could sell or transfer the land as they wished. 3. The Zamindars’ proprietorship would stay as long as he paid the fixed revenue at the said date to the government. If they failed to pay, their rights would cease to exist and the land would be auctioned off. 4. The amount to be paid by the landlords was fixed. It was agreed that this would not increase in future (permanent). 5. The fixed amount was 10/11th portion of the revenue for the government and 1/10th was for the Zamindar. This tax rate was way higher than the prevailing rates in England. 6. The Zamindar also had to give the tenant a patta which described the area of the land given to him and the rent he had to pay the landlord. https://www.civilsdaily.com/news/124th-death-anniversary-of-birsa-munda/