Land reforms during colonial period?
Land reforms during colonial period in India were initiated by the British Government to bring about changes in the land ownership and tenancy systems. These reforms were aimed at increasing the revenue of the British Government, improving the agricultural productivity and reducing the power of the landlords.
1. Permanent Settlement System
The Permanent Settlement System was introduced in 1793 by Lord Cornwallis. This system gave the landowners the right to collect revenue from the tenants. The revenue was fixed and could not be changed. This system was introduced in Bengal, Bihar and Orissa.
2. Ryotwari System
The Ryotwari System was introduced in areas where the Permanent Settlement System was not applicable. In this system, the government directly collected revenue from the farmers. The revenue was based on the extent of the land cultivated.
3. Mahalwari System
The Mahalwari System was introduced in areas where the land was owned by the community. Under this system, the revenue was collected from the community as a whole. The community was responsible for the payment of the revenue.
4. Abolition of Intermediaries
The British Government abolished the intermediary system in 1947. Under this system, the landowners had the power to collect revenue from the tenants. The intermediaries were often oppressive and arbitrary in their actions. The abolition of intermediaries gave the tenants the right to cultivate the land without fear of exploitation.
5. Land Ceiling Laws
The Land Ceiling Laws were introduced to limit the amount of land that an individual could own. The excess land was taken over by the government and distributed among the landless farmers. This was aimed at reducing the concentration of land in the hands of a few individuals.
6. Tenancy Reforms
The Tenancy Reforms were introduced to protect the rights of the tenants. The reforms included the fixing of fair rents, protection against eviction and the right to transfer tenancy rights.
In conclusion, the land reforms during colonial period in India were aimed at improving the agricultural productivity and reducing the power of the landlords. These reforms had a significant impact on the social and economic structure of India.