Practicing Success

Target Exam

CUET

Subject

History

Chapter

Modern India: Colonialism and the Countryside

Question:

Which of the following statements is correct about the 'Zamindar' under 'Permanent Settlement' introduced by Britishers in India?

Options:

The zamindar was a landowner in the village(s) and he had to pay a fixed amount of revenue under the system.

The zamindar was not a landowner in the village but a revenue Collector of the state.

The Zamindar was both landowner as well as revenue collector.

The rent was paid by the peasant directly to Britishers who in turn shared a part of revenue with the Zamindars.

Correct Answer:

The zamindar was not a landowner in the village but a revenue Collector of the state.

Explanation:

The correct answer is Option 2 - The zamindar was not a landowner in the village but a revenue Collector of the state.

After a prolonged debate amongst Company officials, the Permanent Settlement was made with the rajas and taluqdars of Bengal. They were now classified as zamindars, and they had to pay the revenue demand that was fixed in perpetuity. In terms of this definition, the zamindar was not a landowner in the village, but a revenue Collector of the state. Zamindars had several (sometimes as many as 400) villages under them. In Company calculations the villages within one zamindari formed one revenue estate. The Company fixed the total demand over the entire estate whose revenue the zamindar contracted to pay. The zamindar collected rent from the different villages, paid the revenue to the Company, and retained the difference as his income. He was expected to pay the Company regularly, failing which his estate could be auctioned.