Prelims 2024 · Modern History and the Freedom Struggle · Question 37
With reference to revenue collection by Cornwallis, consider the following statements: 1. Under the Ryotwari Settlement of revenue collection, the peasants were exempted from revenue payment in case of bad harvests or natural calamities. 2. Under the Permanent Settlement in Bengal, if the Zamindar failed to pay his revenues to the state, on or before the fixed date, he would be removed from his Zamindari. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Answer
2 only
Statement 1: Incorrect. Ryotwari Settlement was introduced later mainly by Thomas Munro and Alexander Read in Madras/Bombay, not by Cornwallis; moreover, land revenue demand was generally rigid and peasants were not automatically exempt in bad harvests.
Statement 2: Correct. Under Cornwallis’ Permanent Settlement in Bengal, the zamindar had to pay revenue by the fixed date; default could lead to sale/confiscation of the zamindari estate (Sunset Law principle).
Therefore, only Statement 2 is correct.