The system where the 'actual cultivators' rather than the zamindars were responsible for paying the tax was called-
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 3
The correct answer is Option (3) → Raiyatwari
Option (3) Raiyatwari — Correct. In areas under direct British rule, the raiyatwari system of land settlement made the ‘actual cultivators’ (raiyat means cultivator in Telugu) responsible for paying the tax, not the zamindars. With no overlord in between, the burden of tax was less and these areas became relatively more productive and prosperous.
NCERT (2025-26): “4.1 Agrarian Structure: Caste and Class in Rural India … Until recently, practices such as begar or free labour were prevalent in many parts of northern India. Members of low ranked caste groups had to provide labour for a fixed number of days per year to the village zamindar or landlord.…” “The Colonial Period … Many districts of colonial India were administered through the zamindari system. In other areas that were under direct British rule had what was called the raiyatwari system of land settlement (raiyat means cultivator in Telugu). In this system, the ‘actual cultivators’ (who were themselves often landlords and not cultivators) rather than the zamindars were responsible for paying the tax. Because the colonial government dealt directly with the farmers or landlords, rather than through the overlords, the burden of taxation was less and cultivators had more incentive to invest in agriculture. As a result, these areas became relatively more productive and prosperous.…” |