Read the passage and answer the questions:
The Permanent Settlement had come into operation in 1793. The East India Company had fixed the revenue that each zamindar had to pay. The estates of those who failed to pay were to be auctioned to recover the revenue. The contract was made with the zamindars of Bengal, in order to securing rights of property and permanently fixing the rates of revenue demand. Company intended to look forward to a regular flow of revenue, while entrepreneurs could feel sure of earning a profit from their investment. Officials hoped, it would lead to the emergence of a class of yeomen farmers and rich landowners who would have the capital and enterprise to improve agriculture. Nurtured by the British, this class would also be loyal to the Company. Contract was made through the auction and the estates were sold to the highest bidder. Charles Cornwallis was the Governor General of Bengal when the settlement was introduced.
Why were the estates of zamindars auctioned?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 3
The correct answer is Option (3) → To recover the revenue.
Option (1) To ensure better crop. — Incorrect. Better farming was what officials hoped the new landowners would bring with their capital. The auction itself was about revenue that had not been paid.
Option (2) To determine assessment. — Incorrect. The assessment was already settled: the Company had fixed the revenue that each zamindar had to pay.
Option (3) To recover the revenue. — Correct. The estates of those who failed to pay were to be auctioned to recover the revenue.
Option (4) Yeomen class flourished. — Incorrect. A class of yeomen farmers was only what officials hoped the settlement would produce; it is no reason for selling an estate.
NCERT (2026-27): “1.1 An auction in Burdwan … In 1797 there was an auction in Burdwan (presentday Bardhaman). It was a big public event. A number of mahals (estates) held by the Raja of Burdwan were being sold. The Permanent Settlement had come into operation in 1793. The East India Company had fixed the revenue that each zamindar had to pay. The estates of those who failed to pay were to be auctioned to recover the revenue. Since the raja had accumulated huge arrears, his estates had been put up for auction. Numerous purchasers came to the auction and the estates were sold to the highest bidder.…” |