Question map
With reference to Ryotwari Settlement, consider the following statements: 1. The rent was paid directly by the peasants to the Government 2. The Government gave Pattas to the Ryots 3. The lands were surveyed and assessed before being taxed. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Explanation
The Ryotwari Settlement, introduced by Sir Thomas Munro and Alexander Reed in 1820, established a direct relationship between the government and the cultivators (ryots) [5]. Under this system, the rent or land revenue was paid directly by the peasants to the government, bypassing intermediaries like zamindars [3]. To formalize this arrangement, the government issued 'pattas' to the ryots, which served as legal documents confirming their ownership and occupancy rights [1]. Unlike the Permanent Settlement, the Ryotwari system was based on a more 'scientific' approach where lands were surveyed and their revenue potential was assessed before the tax was fixed [4]. This assessment was not permanent and was subject to periodic revision every 20 to 30 years [1]. Thus, all three statements accurately describe the fundamental characteristics of the Ryotwari system as implemented in the Madras and Bombay Presidencies.
Sources
- [3] Indian Economy, Nitin Singhania .(ed 2nd 2021-22) > Chapter 10: Land Reforms in India > II. Ryotwari System > p. 337
- [5] History , class XI (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 17: Effects of British Rule > 17.2 Land Tenures: Permanent Settlement and Ryotwari Settlement > p. 266
- [2] History , class XII (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 9: Envisioning a New Socio-Economic Order > a) Zamindari Abolition > p. 117
- [1] Indian Economy, Vivek Singh (7th ed. 2023-24) > Chapter 5: Land Reforms > Features: > p. 191
- [4] Modern India ,Bipin Chandra, History class XII (NCERT 1982 ed.)[Old NCERT] > Chapter 5: The Structure of the Government and the Economic Policies of the British Empire in India, 1757—1857 > Land Revenue Policy > p. 105