Question

Consider the following statements regarding the failure of revenue payment by zamindars:

I. Initially, the company made very high initial demand because if the demand was fixed for all time to come, the Company would never be able to claim a share of increased income from land when prices rose and cultivation expanded.

II. The high demand was imposed in the 1790s, a time when the prices of agricultural produce were depressed, making it difficult for the ryots to pay their dues to the zamindar.

III. The revenue was invariable, regardless of the harvest, and had to be paid punctually. In fact, according to the Sunset Law, if payment did not come in by sunset of the specified date, the zamindari was liable to be auctioned.

Which of the following statement(s) is/are correct?

Options

• Only I

• I and II

• I and III

• All of the above

Answer 1

All of the above

Explanation:

Officials at the company believed that a set revenue demand would provide zamindars with a sense of stability and motivate them to enhance their estates by assuring them of a return on their investment. However, in the early decades after the Permanent Settlement, zamindars frequently failed to pay the revenue demand, resulting in outstanding balances.