What were the primary goals of the British colonial rule in Bengal regarding rural society?

The British aimed to reorganize rural society by introducing new land rights and a revenue system to stabilize the economy and ensure a steady income for the East India Company.

True or False: The auction of mahals in Burdwan in 1797 was a straightforward process with fair bidding practices.

False: The auction was manipulated; many buyers were actually the raja's servants, indicating a lack of genuine competition.

Fill in the blank: The introduction of the Permanent Settlement was primarily a response to crises such as ___ and ___ in Bengal's rural economy.

Famines and declining agricultural productivity

What was a significant consequence of the Permanent Settlement on zamindaris by the late 18th century?

Over 75% of zamindaris were transferred due to unpaid revenue, resulting in the loss of land for many zamindars.

Zamindars faced auctioning under the Sunset Law if they failed to pay revenue ___ and ___ after the harvest.

On time

True or False: The Permanent Settlement allowed zamindars to freely manage their estates without any restrictions.

False. The Permanent Settlement restricted zamindars' power to collect rent and manage estates.

What economic conditions in the 1790s contributed to zamindars defaulting on payments?

Low agricultural prices made it difficult for ryots to pay their dues, which in turn affected zamindars' ability to pay the Company.

Fill in the blanks: The revenue demand set for zamindars was intended to provide security and encourage ____, but high initial demands resulted in ____ balances.

Improvements; unpaid

Multiple Choice: What action did the Company take that limited the authority of zamindars?

Breaking up zamindars' troops and abolishing customs duties.

What was the significance of the collectorate in relation to zamindars?

The collectorate became an important authority that limited the power of zamindars and took charge if they failed to pay the revenue.

True or False: Jotedars lived in urban areas and had no direct control over the local populace.

False. Jotedars lived in villages and exerted direct control over the local populace.

What significant influence did jotedars have over poorer cultivators in their villages?

They controlled local trade and moneylending, which gave them significant influence over poorer cultivators.

Fill in the blanks: Jotedars often impeded zamindars' attempts to increase dues and interfered with ___ in the villages.

Officials

What was a common challenge faced by zamindars during times of bad harvests?

They faced difficulties in rent collection due to rich ryots and village headmen delaying payments.

Which survey highlighted the rise of prosperous peasants known as jotedars in North Bengal?

Francis Buchanan's survey

True or False: By the early 19th century, jotedars controlled small plots of land.

False. By the early 19th century, jotedars controlled extensive land holdings, sometimes spanning thousands of acres.

What was a common outcome for jotedars when they mobilized ryots and delayed revenue payments to zamindars?

They sometimes acquired zamindari estates at auctions.

Similar figures to jotedars, such as haoladars and gantidars, emerged in other regions of Bengal. What effect did this have on zamindari authority?

It undermined zamindari authority.

What strategies did zamindars use to cope with high revenue demands in the late 18th century?

Zamindars employed tactics such as fake sales, transferring property to relatives, controlling auctions, and engaging in benami purchases to evade revenue demands.

Zamindars maintained their authority by keeping the loyalty of their ___, who viewed them as figures of authority.

Ryots

True or False: Over 15% of auction sales during the late 18th century in Bengal were genuine transactions.

False. Over 15% of sales were fictitious.