Q. 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?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Correct answer: (b) 2 only
Question from UPSC Prelims 2024 GS Paper
Explanation:
1. Under the Ryotwari Settlement of revenue collection, the peasants were exempted from revenue payment in case of bad harvests or natural calamities.
This statement is incorrect. The Ryotwari Settlement, introduced by Thomas Munro in Madras Presidency, made individual cultivators directly responsible for paying land revenue to the government. While there were provisions for remissions in some cases of crop failure, there was no blanket exemption from revenue payment during bad harvests or natural calamities. The cultivators were generally expected to pay the fixed revenue regardless of the harvest quality.
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.
This statement is correct. The Permanent Settlement, introduced by Lord Cornwallis in Bengal in 1793, fixed the land revenue in perpetuity. Zamindars were made the proprietors of the land, responsible for collecting and paying the revenue to the British. If a Zamindar failed to pay the stipulated amount by sunset on the specified date (known as the “sunset law”), his estate could be auctioned off, effectively removing him from his Zamindari.