UPSC Previous Year Question | Prelims GS | 2024

With reference to revenue collection by Cornwallis, consider the following statements: 1. Under the Ryotwari Settlement of revenue collection, the peasants were exempted from revenue payment in case of bad harvests or natural calamities. 2. Under the Permanent Settlement in Bengal, if the Zamindar failed to pay his revenues to the state, on or before the fixed date, he would be removed from his Zamindari. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. 1 only
  2. 2 only
  3. Both 1 and 2
  4. Neither 1 nor 2

Answer

Correct Answer

2 only

Explanation

Statement 1 is incorrect. The Ryotwari system assessed land revenue directly on cultivators, but it did not establish a general automatic exemption from revenue in every case of bad harvest or natural calamity. Statement 2 is correct: under the Permanent Settlement in Bengal, zamindars were required to pay the assessed revenue by the stipulated deadline. Under the strict revenue-sale or “Sunset” rules, failure to pay could result in the sale of the zamindari estate. Hence, only statement 2 is correct.

Topics: british land revenue systems, history, modern india, permanent settlement and ryotwari