East India Company Becomes the Diwan (1765)
In 1765, the East India Company took a major step beyond its commercial activities by becoming the Diwan of Bengal. This meant they gained the authority to collect revenue from the region.
Significance:
- Shift in Role: The East India Company transitioned from being just a trading corporation to taking on administrative functions, indicating a significant change in its role in India.
- Control Over Revenue: By gaining the right to collect revenue, the Company now had control over the finances of one of the richest regions of India.
- Increased Power and Influence: This position strengthened the Company’s power substantially, allowing it to exert greater control over the affairs of Bengal and, by extension, other regions in India.
- Impact on Local Rulers: The Nawabs of Bengal, who were previously in charge of these functions, saw a significant reduction in their power and influence. This change laid the groundwork for increased political intervention by the Company in Indian territories.
- Long-term Consequences: This event marked the beginning of a new era where the Company would expand its control, leading eventually to the establishment of British rule over almost the entire subcontinent.
Also Chekc – Chapter 3- Ruling the Countryside- Class 8 History Notes
Great Bengal Famine (1770)
In 1770, a catastrophic famine struck Bengal, one of the most fertile regions under British control, managed by the East India Company.
Causes of the Famine:
- Harsh Revenue Collection: The East India Company’s aggressive revenue collection practices did not allow the farmers any surplus to sustain themselves. Even during a time of crop failure, the Company insisted on collecting the full amount of taxes.
- Neglect of Agricultural Investment: There was a significant lack of investment in agriculture. The Company focused more on extracting revenue rather than ensuring sustainable agricultural practices and infrastructure development.
Impact and Consequences:
- Widespread Starvation and Death: The famine led to widespread starvation and was responsible for the death of approximately ten million people, which was about one-third of Bengal’s population at that time.
- Economic and Social Disruption: The famine devastated the local economy and disrupted the social fabric of Bengal, leading to long-term impacts on the region’s productivity and population.
- Criticism of the Company: The famine exposed the vulnerabilities and mismanagement by the East India Company, leading to severe criticism both in India and back in Britain.
Historical Significance:
- Policy Changes: This tragic event eventually forced the British to reconsider their policies regarding revenue collection and their administrative approach towards Indian territories.
- Raising Awareness: The famine raised awareness about the consequences of colonial exploitation and played a crucial role in shaping future Indian resistance against British rule.
Permanent Settlement Introduced by Lord Cornwallis (1793)
In 1793, Lord Cornwallis introduced a policy known as the Permanent Settlement in parts of British-controlled India, particularly in Bengal.
Key Features of the Policy:
- Fixed Revenue: The policy fixed the land revenue that zamindars (landlords) were required to pay to the East India Company.
- No Revenue Increase: Once set, the amount of revenue did not increase, regardless of any improvements or changes in land productivity.
Intended Outcomes:
- Create a Loyal Landowning Class: The main aim was to create a stable and loyal class of zamindars who would support British rule and help in the administration by collecting taxes from the peasants.
- Financial Security for Zamindars: By fixing the revenue, zamindars were encouraged to invest in improving the land since any increase in production would benefit them directly, leading to increased agricultural productivity.
Impacts and Consequences:
- Neglect of Peasants: While the policy provided financial security to zamindars, it often led to the exploitation of peasants, who faced high demands from zamindars trying to maximise their income.
- Economic Stagnation: The lack of incentive for the Company to invest in agricultural development or infrastructure led to long-term economic stagnation in the regions under Permanent Settlement.
- Social Hierarchy Solidification: The policy solidified the social hierarchy, empowering a small class of landlords
Also Check – Chapter 3 – Ruling the Countryside Class 8- History- Questions and Answers
Mahalwari System Introduced (1822)
The Mahalwari system was introduced by Holt Mackenzie in 1822 and later modified by Lord William Bentinck. This was a new revenue system implemented in parts of North India.
Key Features of the Mahalwari System:
- Revenue Collection from Communities: Unlike previous systems that dealt with individual landlords, the Mahalwari system involved making settlements directly with villages or groups of villages, known as a ‘Mahal’.
- Collective Responsibility: Each village or group of villages was collectively responsible for paying the government a fixed sum as land revenue.
Implementation Details:
- Assessment of Land: Revenue officers surveyed the land, assessed its productivity, and fixed a revenue amount to be paid by the village community.
- Periodic Revisions: The revenue amount could be revised periodically, unlike the Permanent Settlement, allowing adjustments based on changes in agricultural productivity.
Goals and Intentions:
- Closer Administration: The system aimed to bring the administration closer to the rural population by involving village communities in the revenue process.
- Reduce Exploitation: By negotiating directly with village communities, the system sought to reduce the layers of intermediaries and potential exploitation by local zamindars.
Impacts and Consequences:
- Mixed Outcomes: While the system intended to be fairer, its success varied. In many cases, the revenue demands remained high, putting pressure on peasants.
- Administrative Burden: The system required detailed local knowledge and frequent surveys, which posed significant administrative challenges.
- Economic Pressure on Villagers: The collective responsibility meant that if some farmers could not pay their share, others had to cover the shortfall, leading to tensions within communities.
Ryotwari System Developed (Early 19th Century)
The Ryotwari System was introduced by Thomas Munro and Captain Alexander Read in the early 1800s, primarily in the Madras and Bombay Presidencies.
Key Features of the Ryotwari System:
- Direct Settlements: Unlike the Permanent and Mahalwari systems, the Ryotwari system involved direct settlements with the cultivators, known as ryots.
- Payment Directly to the Company: Ryots paid their land revenue directly to the British East India Company, eliminating the role of intermediaries or zamindars.
Implementation Details:
- Land Assessment: Land under this system was assessed individually, and revenue was fixed depending on the land’s fertility and the crop yield estimates.
- Frequent Reassessments: The revenue rates were subject to periodic reassessment, usually every 30 years, to reflect changes in agricultural productivity.
Goals and Intentions:
- Increase Revenue Efficiency: The system aimed to simplify the process of revenue collection by removing intermediaries and reducing corruption.
- Encourage Agricultural Productivity: By linking revenue directly to land productivity, it was believed that ryots would have an incentive to improve their agricultural practices.
Impacts and Consequences:
- Burden on Farmers: The system often placed a heavy burden on ryots, as they were directly liable for payments, and failure could result in the loss of their land.
- Variable Success: The success of the Ryotwari system varied widely. In some areas, it led to agricultural improvement, while in others, it caused distress and hardship among ryots due to high revenue demands.
- Administrative Challenges: Managing this system required extensive and detailed surveys and records, posing significant administrative challenges.
Indigo Revolt (Blue Rebellion) (1859)
The Indigo Revolt, also known as the Blue Rebellion, was a major uprising by indigo farmers in 1859 in Bengal. It was against the oppressive and exploitative practices enforced by British planters.
Background of the Revolt:
- Exploitative Contracts: Indigo farmers were forced into signing contracts that bound them to grow indigo instead of food crops. These contracts were heavily skewed in favour of British planters.
- Poor Compensation: The farmers were paid very little for the indigo they produced, and the cultivation of indigo depleted the fertility of the land, affecting the farmers’ ability to grow subsistence crops.
Key Events of the Revolt:
- Resistance and Protests: The revolt began as a spontaneous resistance when farmers refused to grow indigo, leading to clashes with the planters and the local police forces sent to enforce the contracts.
- Support from Local Leaders: Many local leaders and intellectuals supported the farmers. This support helped in spreading the revolt across several regions of Bengal.
Impact and Consequences:
- Awareness and Advocacy: The revolt brought significant attention to the plight of the indigo farmers. It highlighted the harsh conditions under which colonial cash crops were produced.
- Legal Changes: The uprising eventually led to the intervention of the British government. In 1860, the Indigo Commission was formed to inquire into the conditions of indigo workers. The commission’s report criticised the planters and resulted in the regulation of the indigo industry and gradual cessation of forced indigo cultivation.
- Symbol of Resistance: The revolt became a symbol of resistance against agricultural exploitation in colonial India and inspired future movements against such injustices.
Champaran Movement led by Mahatma Gandhi (1917)
In 1917, Mahatma Gandhi led a significant movement in Champaran, Bihar, marking his first active involvement in Indian nationalism. This was known as the Champaran Movement.
Background of the Movement:
- Exploitative Conditions: Peasants in Champaran were forced to cultivate indigo under oppressive conditions imposed by British planters. This system led to widespread suffering and economic hardship among the peasants.
- Forced Cultivation: The peasants were compelled to grow indigo on a substantial portion of their land, which was less profitable compared to other crops they could have cultivated, such as food grains.
Key Events of the Movement:
- Arrival of Gandhi: Gandhi was approached by local peasants and, upon arrival, began a detailed study of the situation by gathering data and complaints from the affected farmers.
- Nonviolent Resistance: Gandhi advocated for nonviolent resistance and organised protests against the harsh conditions faced by the indigo farmers.
Impact and Consequences:
- Negotiations and Agreements: Gandhi’s efforts led to negotiations with the British authorities and the planters, which eventually resulted in significant concessions to the peasants, including compensation and the freedom to choose the crops they would cultivate.
- Awareness and Support: The movement gained national attention and support, showcasing Gandhi’s leadership and his commitment to civil rights and justice. This helped establish his reputation as a leader of the Indian independence movement.
Historical Significance:
- Foundation for Future Movements: The success of the Champaran Movement provided a blueprint for future civil disobedience movements led by Gandhi throughout India. It demonstrated the effectiveness of organised, nonviolent resistance.
- Empowerment of Peasants: The movement also empowered peasants and raised awareness about their rights and the potential for collective action against unjust practices.