UPSC Prelims 2024 Q57: Modern History – Modern India
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?
- (a) 1 only
- (b) 2 only
- (c) Both 1 and 2
- (d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: (b) 2 only
Explanation
Revenue Systems under Cornwallis - Statement Analysis
Statement-by-Statement Breakdown:
| Statement | Claim | Verdict | Analysis |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Under Ryotwari Settlement, peasants were exempted from revenue in bad harvests | FALSE | Ryotwari Settlement was NOT introduced by Cornwallis. It was introduced by Thomas Munro and Captain Read in Madras Presidency (early 19th century). Cornwallis introduced the Permanent Settlement (Zamindari) in Bengal, 1793. Statement 1 wrongly attributes Ryotwari to Cornwallis. |
| 2 | Under Permanent Settlement in Bengal, if the Zamindar failed to pay revenues by the fixed date, he would be removed from his Zamindari | TRUE | This is the famous Sunset Law (Sunset Clause). Under the Permanent Settlement, if a Zamindar failed to pay fixed revenue to the state by sunset on the due date, the state could auction off that Zamindari. |
Three Revenue Settlements:
| System | Introduced By | Region | With Whom |
|---|---|---|---|
| Permanent (Zamindari) | Cornwallis (1793) | Bengal | Zamindars (landlords) |
| Ryotwari | Thomas Munro | Madras, Bombay | Ryots (peasants directly) |
| Mahalwari | Holt Mackenzie | North India (Gangetic) | Village community |
Answer: (b) 2 only.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. Statement 1 is false - Ryotwari was not Cornwallis's system. Cornwallis introduced the Permanent Settlement (Zamindari), not Ryotwari. Ryotwari was Munro's system in Madras.
- (b) CORRECT. Only Statement 2 is correct. The Sunset Law under Permanent Settlement meant Zamindars who failed to pay revenue by sunset on the due date could have their Zamindari auctioned by the state.
- (c) Incorrect. Statement 1 is wrong on two counts: it attributes Ryotwari to Cornwallis (it was Munro's), and discusses peasant exemptions (Permanent Settlement dealt with Zamindars, not peasants directly).
- (d) Incorrect. Statement 2 is absolutely correct - the Sunset Law is a well-established feature of Cornwallis's Permanent Settlement of 1793 in Bengal.
Key point
Cornwallis = Permanent Settlement (Bengal, 1793), NOT Ryotwari. Ryotwari = Thomas Munro (Madras). Mahalwari = Holt Mackenzie (North India). Sunset Law: Zamindar misses revenue deadline = Zamindari auctioned.
Remember
Cornwallis introduced the Permanent Settlement in Bengal (1793), not Ryotwari. The Sunset Law meant Zamindars missing the revenue deadline faced auction of their land.
Common mistakes
- Attributing Ryotwari Settlement to Cornwallis - Cornwallis is exclusively associated with Permanent Settlement in Bengal (1793).
- Confusing the three revenue systems: Zamindari/Permanent Settlement (Cornwallis, Bengal), Ryotwari (Munro, Madras), Mahalwari (Holt Mackenzie, North India).
- Not knowing the Sunset Law - it is a frequently tested feature: Zamindars under Permanent Settlement faced land auction if they failed to pay revenue by sunset on the due date.
Exam tip
Revenue systems mnemonic - PRM: Permanent (Cornwallis-Bengal), Ryotwari (Munro-Madras), Mahalwari (Holt Mackenzie-North India). Sunset Law = Permanent Settlement = Zamindar loses Zamindari if late on revenue payment.
Sources
- NCERT Class 8 History - Chapter 2: From Trade to Territory
- NCERT Class 12 History - Themes in Indian History Part III