Which land revenue settlement was made directly with the actual cultiv...
The correct answer is b) Ryotwari Settlement.
Explanation:
The Ryotwari Settlement was a land revenue system introduced by the British during the colonial period in India. It was implemented directly with the actual cultivators, who were called 'ryots'. This system was mainly prevalent in parts of Madras, Bombay, and Assam.
Under the Ryotwari Settlement, individual farmers or ryots were recognized as the owners of the land they cultivated. They were required to pay a fixed amount of land revenue directly to the British government. The revenue was assessed and collected on an individual basis, depending on the size and quality of the land, as well as the crops grown.
Key features of the Ryotwari Settlement:
1. Individual Ownership: The ryots were considered as the proprietors of the land they cultivated. They had the right to sell or transfer their land and were responsible for paying the land revenue directly to the government.
2. Revenue Assessment: The land revenue was assessed based on the quality of the land, the crops grown, and prevailing market rates. The assessment was done periodically, usually once every 30 years.
3. Accountability: The responsibility of paying the land revenue fell directly on the ryots. They had to pay the revenue to the government officials, who were responsible for its collection.
4. Absence of Middlemen: Unlike the Permanent Settlement, the Ryotwari Settlement did not involve intermediaries or middlemen. The revenue was collected directly from the ryots, eliminating the exploitation by intermediaries.
Advantages of the Ryotwari Settlement:
1. Individual Ownership: The system recognized the rights of individual cultivators and provided them with a sense of security and ownership over the land they cultivated.
2. Direct Interaction: The ryots had direct contact with the government officials, which reduced the chances of corruption and exploitation by intermediaries.
3. Flexibility: The assessment of land revenue was periodically revised, allowing for adjustments based on changes in land quality and crop prices.
4. Economic Development: The system encouraged agricultural development as the ryots had the freedom to choose the crops they wanted to cultivate and had the incentive to improve productivity.
In conclusion, the Ryotwari Settlement was a land revenue system that made direct arrangements with the actual cultivators, providing them with individual ownership rights and accountability for paying land revenue.
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