Which of the following statements about Ryotwari system is/are correct...
Ryotwari System:The Ryotwari system was a land-revenue system introduced by the British in India during the colonial period. It was implemented in various parts of the country, particularly in Madras Presidency, Bombay Presidency, and parts of the Punjab. The system aimed to collect revenue directly from individual cultivators or ryots.
Statement 1: The government collected the revenue directly from the individual cultivators.
This statement is
correct. Under the Ryotwari system, the government collected the land revenue directly from the individual cultivators. Each cultivator was considered responsible for paying the revenue for the land they cultivated. The government officials assessed the land, determined the revenue amount, and collected it from the ryots.
Statement 2: The cultivators were not recognized in law as the owners of the land.
This statement is
incorrect. Unlike the Zamindari system where the landowners were recognized as the owners of the land, under the Ryotwari system, the cultivators were given the status of temporary proprietors. They had the right to possess, manage, and transfer the land. However, they did not have absolute ownership rights as the state retained the ultimate ownership of the land.
The Ryotwari system aimed to establish a direct relationship between the state and the cultivators, eliminating intermediaries like zamindars or landlords. It was considered a more equitable system compared to the Zamindari system as it provided direct access to cultivators and reduced exploitation by intermediaries.
The system also introduced the concept of individual responsibility for land revenue payment. The cultivators were assessed based on the quality and productivity of their land, and the revenue rates were fixed accordingly. This was seen as a fairer approach as the revenue burden was directly linked to the cultivator's ability to pay.
Overall, the Ryotwari system aimed to streamline revenue collection, establish direct contact with cultivators, and provide them with certain rights over the land they cultivated. It played a significant role in shaping land revenue administration during the British colonial rule in India.