The important land revenue systems that the British implemented in India were Permanent settlement, Ryotwari system and Mahalwari system.
Permanent Settlement :
The Permanent settlement was introduced by Lord Cornwallis, the Governor General of British India to collect taxes in Bengal, Bihar and Orissa. This system is also known as the Zamindari system.
The following were its features:
- The tax was collected by zamindars.
- Zamindar was the owner of the entire land where he had the jurisdiction to collect tax.
- Farmers were to pay up to 60% of the yield as tax.
- Tax to be paid even at the time of poor yield.
- Tax was to be paid in cash strictly before the cut off date.
- The actual farmers became tenants.
Ryotwari system :
This was the land revenue system that the British introduced in South Indian regions. Its features were:
- Land revenue was collected directly from the farmers.
- Ownership of the land was vested with the peasant.
- Excessive tax was imposed.
- Tax rates were frequently increased.
Mahalwari system :
This was introduced by the British to collect tax from North West regions. Its features were:
- The village headman was assigned the responsibility to collect tax.
- Tax rate was excessive.
- The entire village was considered as a single unit for tax collection.
Common similiarities
- Tax had to be paid in cash
- Tax was very high
