With reference to Permanent settlement system of land Revenue policy of British, consider the following statements:

1. Hereditary rights of Zamindar were recognized as absolute and it cannot be annulled under any circumstances.

2. The Zamindar need not give tenant a patta describing the area of the land given to him and the rent he had to pay the landlord.

Which of the above Statements is/are correct?

Solution

● Statement 1 and 2 are incorrect: Landlords or Zamindars were recognised as the owners of the land. They were given hereditary rights of succession of the lands under them. The Zamindars could sell or transfer the land as they wished. However, 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. The amount to be paid by the landlords was fixed. 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. 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. The system did not produce fruitful results for zamindars and peasants. The system was made permanent in 1793 before which it was a decennial settlement in 1790.