Part of: Haryana Gk set 7

Which land revenue system was adopted by the British in Haryana

Category: Haryana Gk

Hint: Consider the administrative divisions and the system used in the region.

Correct Answer: B) Mahalwari

Exam Relevance: UPSC, SSC, State PSC

Difficulty: Moderate

Explanations:

The British introduced three main land revenue systems in India during their colonial rule: the Permanent Settlement, the Mahalwari system, and the Rayatwari system. Each of these systems was designed to collect land revenue from the peasantry and was implemented in different regions of India based on the administrative and economic conditions of those regions.

The Permanent Settlement, introduced by Lord Cornwallis in 1793, was primarily implemented in Bengal, Bihar, and parts of Orissa. Under this system, the zamindars (landlords) were given the right to collect revenue from the peasants and were required to pay a fixed amount to the British government. This system was not adopted in Haryana.

The Rayatwari system, introduced in the Madras Presidency (now parts of Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Karnataka), involved the direct collection of revenue from individual peasants. The revenue was assessed on the basis of the actual produce of the land and the assessment was made annually. This system was not adopted in Haryana either.

The Mahalwari system, on the other hand, was adopted in the Punjab region, which included parts of present-day Haryana. Under this system, the revenue was collected from a group of villages collectively, known as a mahal. The revenue was assessed on the basis of the average produce of the land over a period of years, and the assessment was made every ten years. The mahal was responsible for paying the revenue to the British government, and the revenue was collected from the peasants within the mahal.

The Mahalwari system was chosen for Haryana because it was more suitable for the region's agricultural and administrative conditions. The system allowed for a more flexible and equitable distribution of the revenue burden among the peasants, as the revenue was assessed on the basis of the average produce of the land over a period of years. This system also facilitated better administrative control over the region, as the revenue was collected from a group of villages collectively.

Therefore, the correct answer is that the Mahalwari system was adopted by the British in Haryana. This system was an important part of the British colonial administration and had a significant impact on the economic and social conditions of the region.

Option Analysis:
  • Option A: Incorrect. The Permanent Settlement was introduced in Bengal and parts of Bihar and Orissa, not in Haryana. This system fixed the land revenue demand at a permanent rate.
  • Option B: Correct. The Mahalwari system was adopted in Haryana, where revenue was collected from a group of villages collectively. This system was used in the Punjab region and parts of central India.
  • Option C: Incorrect. The Rayatwari system was used in Madras, Bombay, and other parts of southern and western India, where revenue was collected directly from individual peasants.
  • Option D: Incorrect. One of the land revenue systems was indeed adopted in Haryana, and it was the Mahalwari system.

Mnemonic: M for Mahalwari, M for Multiple villages

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