Notes of 8th history chapter 3

 

Chapter 3: Ruling the Countryside

1. The British Expansion in the Countryside

• British Control: By the late 18th and early 19th centuries, the British East India Company extended its control over large parts of the Indian countryside. This expansion was driven by the need to generate revenue from land to fund their administrative and military expenses.
• Land Revenue Systems: To manage and extract revenue from land, the British introduced several land revenue systems, which had significant impacts on rural society.

2. The Permanent Settlement

• Introduction: The Permanent Settlement was introduced by Lord Cornwallis in 1793. It was applied primarily in Bengal and later in other regions.
• Features:
  • Fixed Revenue: Land revenue was fixed permanently, meaning that it would not change regardless of crop yields or economic conditions.
  • Zamindars as Collectors: Zamindars (landlords) were responsible for collecting revenue from peasants and paying it to the British. In return, they were given ownership rights over the land.
  • Impact on Zamindars: Zamindars were often wealthy and powerful, but the system led to their exploitation of peasants. Many zamindars were unable to maintain the land or manage their estates effectively.
  • Impact on Peasants: Peasants faced high taxes and economic hardship. Since the revenue was fixed, they had to pay it even in bad years, leading to widespread distress and debt.

3. The Ryotwari System

• Introduction: The Ryotwari System was introduced by Sir Thomas Munro in the early 19th century and was implemented in areas like the Madras Presidency.
• Features:
  • Direct Assessment: Land revenue was assessed directly from the ryots (cultivators) instead of through intermediaries like zamindars.
  • Revenue Collection: The British government collected revenue directly from the farmers based on the land’s productivity.
  • Impact on Farmers: While this system aimed to reduce the role of middlemen, farmers still faced high taxes. The assessment was often arbitrary and led to disputes and financial strain on the cultivators.

4. The Mahalwari System

• Introduction: The Mahalwari System was introduced by Holt Mackenzie in the early 19th century and applied in areas such as the North-Western Provinces (now Uttar Pradesh).
• Features:
  • Village-based Assessment: Revenue was assessed on a group of villages or a ‘mahal.’ The responsibility for payment was shared among the village community.
  • Collective Responsibility: Instead of individual assessment, the entire village was held responsible for the revenue, which was to be paid by the headman or a representative of the village.
  • Impact on Villages: This system was intended to be more flexible but often led to conflicts between villagers and authorities. The village headmen sometimes exploited the system, and the revenue demands could still be burdensome for the village community.

5. Impact on Rural Society

• Economic Strain: The new revenue systems increased the economic burden on peasants. The fixed and high revenue demands led to widespread indebtedness and poverty among the rural population.
• Agricultural Practices: The focus on maximizing revenue led to changes in agricultural practices, such as the cultivation of cash crops, which were not always suited to local conditions.
• Social Unrest: The economic hardships caused by the revenue systems often led to peasant uprisings and revolts, as seen in the rebellion of the Indigo farmers in Bengal and other regional uprisings.

6. Resistance and Rebellions

• Peasant Revolts: Several peasant revolts occurred as a response to oppressive revenue systems. The Indigo Rebellion (1859-60) in Bengal was one such revolt where farmers protested against the exploitation of indigo cultivation imposed by British planters.
• Impact of Rebellions: These uprisings highlighted the discontent among the rural population and the adverse effects of British policies on the agrarian economy.

7. Key Takeaways

• Revenue Systems: The British introduced several land revenue systems, each with its own method of assessment and collection, impacting both zamindars and peasants differently.
• Economic and Social Impact: The revenue systems led to significant economic strain on peasants and contributed to social unrest and resistance.
• Agricultural Changes: The emphasis on revenue collection influenced agricultural practices and led to the growth of cash crops, affecting local farming traditions.

Important Points to Remember

• Permanent Settlement (1793): Fixed revenue system, leading to exploitation of peasants.
• Ryotwari System: Direct assessment from farmers, implemented in the Madras Presidency.
• Mahalwari System: Village-based revenue collection, applied in North-Western Provinces.
• Peasant Revolts: Reactions to economic hardship and exploitative practices.

This chapter provides a detailed view of how British revenue policies affected rural India, focusing on the changes in land revenue systems and their broader social and economic consequences.

This all information is taken from AI