Colonialism And The Countryside
Why did the British introduce new systems of revenue in place of Permanent Settlement in areas outside Bengal?
When the British Government expanded its rule outside Bengal, it introduced new systems of revenue. It discarded the system of Permanent Settlement and did not introduce it in any area. It was because of the following reasons:
No Share in Enhanced Income:There was an increase in agricultural price after 1810. It increased the income of the Zamindars in Bengal. But the revenue was already fixed under the Permanent Settlements. So the colonial state was unable to claim any share form the enhanced income of the farmers. As the government wanted to expand its financial resources, it introduced temporary revenue settlements in the newly annexed territories in the ninteenth century.
Impact of the Ideas of David Ricardo:
The British Government introduced some of the idea sof David Ricardo, famous economist, in the state of Maharashtra. Ricardo believed that a land-owner should claim only the average rent that prevailed at a given time. Many peasants in Bengal had leased out their land. So they lived on the rental income. Such income must be taxed. Thus the British introduced the Ryotwari System of revenue settlement in the Bombay Deccan. Herein the revenue was settled directly with the ryot. The revenue paying capacity of the ryot was assessed. The ryot paid his fixed share.
New Systems:
Thus we see that the British Government introduced many new revenue policies such as:
(i) Temporary Revenues settlements
(ii) Ryotwari Settlement.
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What are the problems of using official sources in writing about the history of peasants?
On an outline map of the subcontinent, mark out the areas described in this chapter. Find out whether there were other areas where the Permanent Settlement and the Ryotwari system were prevalent and plot these on the map as well.
Mention the revenue system introduced by the British in Bombay Deccan with one of its main characteristics.
Why was British introduce new systems of revenue?
Explain any two observations made by Buchanan that helped the English East India Company to expand its trade in India.
How did the British encourage the Santhals to settle in Rajmahal hills?
Explain briefly the importance of the Deccan Riots Report of 1878.
What is known as the Sunset Law?
How did the British seek to control the zamindars?
Who were the jotedars? What were the various names they were known by?
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