Assertion: The main interest of the zamindars during colonial times was only to collect rent regardless of the economic condition of the cultivators which caused immense misery to cultivators.

Reasoning: To a very great extent, the terms of the revenue settlement imposed by Britishers were also responsible for the zamindars adopting such an attitude.

Both Assertion (A) and reasoning (R) are correct and R is the correct explanation of A.

A considerable number of zamindars, and not just the colonial government, did nothing to improve the condition of agriculture. The main interest of the zamindars was only to collect rent regardless of the economic condition of the cultivators; this caused immense misery and social tension among the latter. To a very great extent, the terms of the revenue settlement were also responsible for the zamindars adopting such an attitude; dates for depositing specified sums of revenue were fixed, failing which the zamindars were to lose their rights.