Question

Explain two land revenue administrative systems introduced by the British in colonial India.

Answer 1

In colonial India, the British established two land revenue administration systems:

1. Zamindari system: These local zamindars were in charge of several regions of India when the British conquered the country. These ruling classes, which mostly belonged to Kshatriya or other upper castes, had strong control over the land. These groups included the local kings and zamindars, who were landowners and were politically influential in their communities. They also gave the zamindars property rights. The Zamindari system was used to administrate numerous regions in colonial India.
2. Ryotwari system: Other regions that were directly governed by the British had a land settlement system known as the Raiyatwari system (the Telugu word 'raiyat' means 'cultivator'). Under this arrangement, the tax was paid by the 'actual cultivators,' who were frequently landowners rather than farmers as opposed to the zamindars. Cultivators were more inclined to invest in agriculture since the colonial administration interacted with farmers or landowners directly rather than via the overlords, which reduced the tax burden.