PPT: Colonialism and The Countryside | History Class 12 - Humanities/Arts PDF Download

 Page 1


Colonialism and the 
Countryside
Page 2


Colonialism and the 
Countryside
Introduction
In this presentation you will see 
what colonial rule meant to those 
who lived in the countryside. You 
will meet the zamindars of Bengal, 
travel to the Rajmahal hills where 
the Paharias and the Santhals 
lived, and then move west to the 
Deccan.
You will look at the way the English 
East India Company (E.I.C.) 
established its raj in the 
countryside, implemented its 
revenue policies, what these 
policies meant to different 
sections of people, and how they 
changed everyday lives.
Laws introduced by the state have 
consequences for people: they 
determine to an extent who grows 
richer and who poorer, who 
acquires new land and who loses 
the land they have lived on, where 
peasants go when they need 
money. As you will see, however, 
people were not only subject to 
the working of laws, they also 
resisted the law by acting 
according to what they believed to 
be just. In doing so people defined 
the way in which laws operated, 
thereby modifying their 
consequences.
Page 3


Colonialism and the 
Countryside
Introduction
In this presentation you will see 
what colonial rule meant to those 
who lived in the countryside. You 
will meet the zamindars of Bengal, 
travel to the Rajmahal hills where 
the Paharias and the Santhals 
lived, and then move west to the 
Deccan.
You will look at the way the English 
East India Company (E.I.C.) 
established its raj in the 
countryside, implemented its 
revenue policies, what these 
policies meant to different 
sections of people, and how they 
changed everyday lives.
Laws introduced by the state have 
consequences for people: they 
determine to an extent who grows 
richer and who poorer, who 
acquires new land and who loses 
the land they have lived on, where 
peasants go when they need 
money. As you will see, however, 
people were not only subject to 
the working of laws, they also 
resisted the law by acting 
according to what they believed to 
be just. In doing so people defined 
the way in which laws operated, 
thereby modifying their 
consequences.
Bengal and the Zamindars
1
1793
The Permanent Settlement came into operation, fixing the 
revenue that each zamindar had to pay to the East India 
Company.
2
1797
An auction was held in Burdwan to sell estates of 
zamindars who failed to pay revenue. The Raja of 
Burdwan's estates were put up for auction but he 
managed to retain control through fictitious sales.
3
Late 18th century
Over 75% of zamindaris changed hands after the 
Permanent Settlement. Many zamindars defaulted on 
revenue payments due to high demands and other factors.
Page 4


Colonialism and the 
Countryside
Introduction
In this presentation you will see 
what colonial rule meant to those 
who lived in the countryside. You 
will meet the zamindars of Bengal, 
travel to the Rajmahal hills where 
the Paharias and the Santhals 
lived, and then move west to the 
Deccan.
You will look at the way the English 
East India Company (E.I.C.) 
established its raj in the 
countryside, implemented its 
revenue policies, what these 
policies meant to different 
sections of people, and how they 
changed everyday lives.
Laws introduced by the state have 
consequences for people: they 
determine to an extent who grows 
richer and who poorer, who 
acquires new land and who loses 
the land they have lived on, where 
peasants go when they need 
money. As you will see, however, 
people were not only subject to 
the working of laws, they also 
resisted the law by acting 
according to what they believed to 
be just. In doing so people defined 
the way in which laws operated, 
thereby modifying their 
consequences.
Bengal and the Zamindars
1
1793
The Permanent Settlement came into operation, fixing the 
revenue that each zamindar had to pay to the East India 
Company.
2
1797
An auction was held in Burdwan to sell estates of 
zamindars who failed to pay revenue. The Raja of 
Burdwan's estates were put up for auction but he 
managed to retain control through fictitious sales.
3
Late 18th century
Over 75% of zamindaris changed hands after the 
Permanent Settlement. Many zamindars defaulted on 
revenue payments due to high demands and other factors.
Why Zamindars 
Defaulted on 
Payments
1
High Initial Demands
The initial revenue demands were very high, as the 
Company wanted to maximize its income.
2
Depressed Agricultural Prices
In the 1790s, prices of agricultural produce were low, 
making it difficult for ryots to pay rent to zamindars.
3
Invariable Revenue
The revenue demand was fixed regardless of harvest 
quality and had to be paid punctually.
4
Limited Zamindar Powers
The Permanent Settlement initially restricted 
zamindars' power to collect rent and manage their 
estates.
Page 5


Colonialism and the 
Countryside
Introduction
In this presentation you will see 
what colonial rule meant to those 
who lived in the countryside. You 
will meet the zamindars of Bengal, 
travel to the Rajmahal hills where 
the Paharias and the Santhals 
lived, and then move west to the 
Deccan.
You will look at the way the English 
East India Company (E.I.C.) 
established its raj in the 
countryside, implemented its 
revenue policies, what these 
policies meant to different 
sections of people, and how they 
changed everyday lives.
Laws introduced by the state have 
consequences for people: they 
determine to an extent who grows 
richer and who poorer, who 
acquires new land and who loses 
the land they have lived on, where 
peasants go when they need 
money. As you will see, however, 
people were not only subject to 
the working of laws, they also 
resisted the law by acting 
according to what they believed to 
be just. In doing so people defined 
the way in which laws operated, 
thereby modifying their 
consequences.
Bengal and the Zamindars
1
1793
The Permanent Settlement came into operation, fixing the 
revenue that each zamindar had to pay to the East India 
Company.
2
1797
An auction was held in Burdwan to sell estates of 
zamindars who failed to pay revenue. The Raja of 
Burdwan's estates were put up for auction but he 
managed to retain control through fictitious sales.
3
Late 18th century
Over 75% of zamindaris changed hands after the 
Permanent Settlement. Many zamindars defaulted on 
revenue payments due to high demands and other factors.
Why Zamindars 
Defaulted on 
Payments
1
High Initial Demands
The initial revenue demands were very high, as the 
Company wanted to maximize its income.
2
Depressed Agricultural Prices
In the 1790s, prices of agricultural produce were low, 
making it difficult for ryots to pay rent to zamindars.
3
Invariable Revenue
The revenue demand was fixed regardless of harvest 
quality and had to be paid punctually.
4
Limited Zamindar Powers
The Permanent Settlement initially restricted 
zamindars' power to collect rent and manage their 
estates.
The Rise of the Jotedars
1
Consolidation of Power
By the early 19th century, rich peasants known as jotedars had acquired vast areas of land and controlled local 
trade and moneylending.
2
Control Over Sharecroppers
Jotedars cultivated land through sharecroppers (adhiyars or bargadars) who provided labor and gave half the 
produce to jotedars.
3
Resistance to Zamindars
Jotedars resisted zamindars' efforts to increase village revenue and delayed payments, weakening zamindari 
authority.
4
Purchasing Auctioned Estates
When zamindari estates were auctioned, jotedars were often among the purchasers, further increasing their 
power.