Question

Explain any three reasons why the british introduced the waste land rules

Answer 1

To colonial power, all uncultivated land appeared to be unproductive. It produced neither revenue nor agricultural produce.
Thus, it was seen as ‘wasteland’ that needed to be brought under cultivation. From the mid-19th century, ‘Wasteland Rules’ were enacted in various parts of our country.
By these rules, uncultivated lands were taken over and given to select individuals. These individuals were granted various concessions and encouraged to settle on these lands.
Some of them were made headmen of villages in the newly cleared areas. Thus wastelands gradually transformed into cultivated lands. The Colonial Government imposed tax on these lands and earned revenue from these lands.

Answer 2

The British enacted the Waste land rules in various parts of the country for the following reasons:

Land revenue was one of the main sources of British finance. By expanding cultivation it could increase its revenue.

To colonial officers all uncultivated land appeared to be unproductive and was seen as waste land. It could neither produce revenue nor agricultural products.

Cultivation of jute, cotton and wheat was important as it was required in England. For this, they had to bring the land under them.