After India became independent, Nehru and his policy advisors embarked on a
programme of planned development that focused on agrarian reform as well as
industrialisation. The policymakers were responding to the dismal agricultural
situation in India at that time. This was marked by low productivity, dependence
on imported food grains, and the intense poverty of a large section of the rural population.
The abolition of the zamindari system was one of the important steps adopted by the Nehru government to change the agricultural structure of Indian villages. Select a statement which can be considered an appropriate critique of this legislation.
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 2
The abolition of the Zamindari system did not happen without a struggle, of course, but ultimately the
effect was to strengthen the position of the actual landholders and cultivators
at the local level. However, zamindari abolition did not wipe out landlordism or
the tenancy or sharecropping systems, which continued in many areas. It only
removed the top layer of landlords in the multi-layered agrarian structure.