Temporary Zamindari Settlement in Central India and Avadh

The British colonial government introduced the zamindari system as a way to collect revenue from the agricultural land in India. Under this system, the zamindars were made owners of land and were responsible for paying revenue to the government. However, the system had its flaws and led to exploitation and impoverishment of the peasants who worked on the land.

To address these issues, the British introduced a temporary zamindari settlement in Central India and Avadh. This settlement was different from the permanent zamindari settlement introduced earlier in Bengal, Bihar and Orissa.

The temporary zamindari settlement was introduced after the Indian Rebellion of 1857 as a way to gain the trust of the local elites and ensure stability in the region. The settlement was only meant to last for a period of 30 years and the revenue paid by the zamindars was revised periodically to reflect the changing economic conditions.

Features of the Temporary Zamindari Settlement

Some of the key features of the temporary zamindari settlement were:

1. Ownership of Land: The zamindars were made owners of the land and were responsible for paying revenue to the government.

2. Periodic Revision of Revenue: The revenue paid by the zamindars was revised every 10 years to reflect the changing economic conditions.

3. No Permanent Transfer of Ownership: Unlike the permanent zamindari settlement, the temporary settlement did not allow for the permanent transfer of ownership of land.

4. Limited Powers of the Zamindars: The zamindars were given limited powers and were not allowed to evict peasants from the land or extract excessive rents.

Impact of the Temporary Zamindari Settlement

The temporary zamindari settlement had a mixed impact on the region. On the one hand, it helped to stabilize the region after the Indian Rebellion of 1857. The settlement also helped to improve the relationship between the British colonial government and the local elites.

However, the settlement did little to address the underlying issues of landlessness and exploitation faced by the peasants. The periodic revision of revenue meant that the zamindars were constantly looking for ways to increase their income, often at the expense of the peasants.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the temporary zamindari settlement in Central India and Avadh was introduced as a way to address the flaws of the permanent zamindari settlement. While it had some positive impact on the region, it did little to address the underlying issues of landlessness and exploitation.