In the early decades after the Permanent Settlement introduced by Britishers, zamindars regularly failed to pay the revenue demand and unpaid balances accumulated.

In this regard which of the following statement (s) is/are Correct:

Statement 1: The initial demands of revenue fixed in anticipation that the income of peasants will increase from land when prices rose and cultivation expanded as a result of this system of Permanent Settlement.
Statement 2: This demand was imposed in the 1790s, a time when the prices of agricultural produce were depressed, making it difficult for the ryots to pay their dues to the zamindar.
Statement 3: The revenue was variable but it had to be paid punctually.
Statement 4: The Permanent Settlement initially limited the power of the zamindar to collect rent from the ryot and manage his zamindari.

1,2 and 4 only

The correct answer is Option 4 - 1,2 and 4 only

Given statements:

Statement 1: The initial demands of revenue fixed in anticipation that the income of peasants will increase from land when prices rose and cultivation expanded as a result of this system of Permanent Settlement. (Correct)
Statement 2: This demand was imposed in the 1790s, a time when the prices of agricultural produce were depressed, making it difficult for the ryots to pay their dues to the zamindar. (Correct)
Statement 3: The revenue was variable but it had to be paid punctually. (Incorrect)
Statement 4: The Permanent Settlement initially limited the power of the zamindar to collect rent from the ryot and manage his zamindari. (Correct)

Third STATEMENT is wrong as the revenue was invariable, regardless of the harvest, and had to be paid punctually. In fact, according to the Sunset Law, if payment did not come in by sunset of the specified date, the zamindari was liable to be auctioned.

Explanation:

Company officials felt that a fixed revenue demand would give zamindars a sense of security and, assured of returns on their investment, encourage them to improve their estates. In the early decades after the Permanent Settlement, however, zamindars regularly failed to pay the revenue demand and unpaid balances accumulated. The reasons for this failure were various.

First: the initial demands were very high. This was because it was felt that if the demand was fixed for all time to come, the Company would never be able to claim a share of increased income from land when prices rose and cultivation expanded. To minimise this anticipated loss, the Company pegged the revenue demand high, arguing that the burden on zamindars would gradually decline as agricultural production expanded and prices rose.

Second: this high demand was imposed in the 1790s, a time when the prices of agricultural produce were depressed, making it difficult for the ryots to pay their dues to the zamindar. If the zamindar could not collect the rent, how could he pay the Company?

Third: the revenue was invariable, regardless of the harvest, and had to be paid punctually. In fact, according to the Sunset Law, if payment did not come in by sunset of the specified date, the zamindari was liable to be auctioned.

Fourth: the Permanent Settlement initially limited the power of the zamindar to collect rent from the ryot and manage his zamindari.