UPSC Prelims 2017 Q13: Indian Polity – Directive Principles Of State Policy
Who among the following was/were associated with the introduction of Ryotwari
Settlement in India during the British rule ?
1. Lord Cornwallis
2. Alexander Read
3. Thomas Munro
Select the correct answer using.the code given below :
- (a) 1 only
- (b) 1 and 3 only
- (c) 2 and 3 only
- (d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (c) 2 and 3 only
Explanation
Who introduced Ryotwari?
| Person | Role | Ryotwari? |
|---|---|---|
| Lord Cornwallis | Introduced the Permanent Settlement (1793) in Bengal | No |
| Alexander Read | Introduced Ryotwari first in Baramahal (1792) | Yes |
| Thomas Munro | Extended it across the Madras Presidency (1820) as Governor | Yes |
Land revenue systems:
| System | Settled with | Areas | Associated names |
|---|---|---|---|
| Permanent Settlement | Zamindars | Bengal, Bihar, Odisha | Cornwallis |
| Ryotwari | Ryots (cultivators) | Madras, Bombay | Read, Munro |
| Mahalwari | Village communities | North-west, Punjab | Holt Mackenzie |
Answer: (c) 2 and 3 only.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. Cornwallis introduced the Permanent Settlement, not Ryotwari.
- (b) Incorrect. It wrongly includes Cornwallis and leaves out Alexander Read.
- (c) CORRECT. Alexander Read began Ryotwari in Baramahal and Thomas Munro extended it.
- (d) Incorrect. Cornwallis is linked to the Permanent Settlement, not Ryotwari.
Key point
Ryotwari: Alexander Read (Baramahal, 1792) and Thomas Munro (Madras, 1820); Permanent Settlement: Cornwallis (1793); Mahalwari: Holt Mackenzie.
Remember
Ryotwari = Alexander Read + Thomas Munro.
Common mistakes
- Linking Cornwallis with every land settlement.
- Forgetting Alexander Read, who started Ryotwari before Munro.
- Mixing Ryotwari (cultivators) with Mahalwari (village communities).
Exam tip
Match each settlement with whom revenue was settled: zamindar, ryot or village.
Sources
- NCERT Class VIII — Our Pasts III, Ch 3 (Ruling the Countryside)
- Bipan Chandra — History of Modern India