Question

Explain the three main features of Munro System

Answer 1

RYOTWARI SYSTEM (1820) This system was intro­duced in Malabar, Coimbatore, Madras and,Madurai. Sub­sequently, this system was extended to Maharashtra, East Bengal, parts of Assam and Coorg. Under this system, the ownership and occupancy rights of land were vested in the ryots or tillers of the soil. They were required to pay the revenue directly to the Company. Where the land revenue was imposed indirectly -- through agreements made with Zamindars -- the system of assessment was known as zamindari. They were free to sell or transfer their lands. But the system failed to protect the interest of the ryats. The rate of revenue was too high and the method of collection inflexible; the peasants were forced to take loans from money-lenders which made the latter exploit them.