Explanation: The Ijardari Settlement was a revenue system introduced during the British colonial period in India, primarily in the Bengal Presidency. Under this system, the British East India Company appointed zamindars, who were responsible for collecting taxes from peasants and remitting a fixed amount to the Company. The system was designed to ensure a steady revenue flow to the British authorities.
Warren Hastings, the first Governor-General of British India, introduced the Ijardari Settlement as part of his broader administrative reforms. His goal was to stabilize the revenue collection process and ensure that the British East India Company received a reliable income from the land. However, the system was not without its challenges, particularly in the face of natural disasters such as famines.
Lord Cornwallis succeeded Warren Hastings and implemented the Permanent Settlement in 1793, which fixed the revenue amount to be paid by zamindars. This settlement was intended to provide a stable and predictable revenue stream for the British East India Company. Unlike the Ijardari Settlement, the Permanent Settlement did not reduce revenue but rather aimed to secure a fixed amount regardless of the economic conditions.
The most significant factor that led to a reduction in revenue under the Ijardari Settlement was the famine in Bengal. Famine conditions severely impacted the agricultural output and the ability of peasants to pay their taxes. As a result, zamindars were unable to collect the full amount of revenue from the peasants, leading to a reduction in the revenue remitted to the British East India Company. This reduction in revenue was a direct consequence of the famine's impact on the agricultural economy and the peasants' ability to pay taxes.
In summary, while Warren Hastings and Lord Cornwallis were instrumental in shaping the revenue systems in British India, it was the famine in Bengal that had a direct and significant impact on reducing revenue under the Ijardari Settlement. This underscores the vulnerability of revenue systems to natural disasters and the broader socio-economic conditions of the time. Understanding the interplay between administrative policies and natural disasters is crucial for comprehending the complexities of revenue collection during the British colonial period in India.