ryotwari system in bengal and its effect
Answers
Ryotwari System: - it was introduced by Thomas Munco and read in Madras in 1826. This was a settlement made between colonial government and the ‘’ryots’’ the peasants)
Features: - 1. All the land were claimed by Government and allotted directly to the cultivation on the basis of the amount of tax they could pay.
2. Farmers gained authority over their piece of land and they were free to use it in whatever way they wanted. It might be personal use, rent, sell, mortgage and lease.
3. The farmer could be expelled from the possession of land if they were unable to pay tax.
4. The government has the authority to increase their revenue whenever they wanted.
5. The amount of tax was revised in every thirty years.
Impacts :-
1.The intermediate layer between peasants and British, the Zamidar started to lose their importance as a result of direct agreement.
2. The government insisted upon growing cash crops so as to earn more cash revenue. As cash crops required more growing and maintenance cost it compelled the peasants to take more loans from money lenders.
3. Another instance which mode the peasants farmless was the result of American Civil War which resulted into reduction of cotton export. Hence the peasants defaulted on loans and lands were transferred to money lenders.
4. The weavers became unemployed because of cotton textile industries in Britain. Hence they had to work for Zamindars at their own will so as to earn their livelihood.
5. Farmers had to pay revenue even during drought and famine which became hard at times