Question

Examine Bernier's description of Crown ownership of land and lack of private property during Mughal India.

Hint:

When analysing the views of travellers and administrators, always note their biases and the context in which they are viewing the society.

Answer 1

Bernier's Belief in Private Property: Bernier was a firm believer in the virtues of private property, and he considered private ownership as important for a productive economy. 
Crown Ownership as Harmful: He saw the crown ownership of land as harmful for both the state and the people as it did not encourage land ownership. 
Mughal Emperor as Owner: He believed that the Mughal emperor owned the entire land, and distributed it among his nobles, which he thought was a flawed system of land ownership. 
Disastrous Consequences: Bernier considered this to have disastrous consequences for both the economy and society as the peasants did not own the land. 
No Rights over Land for Peasants: Owing to crown ownership, the peasants could not pass the land to their children. 
Aversion to Long-Term Investment: They were averse to any long term investment for the sustenance and expansion of production, because the land was not theirs. 
No “Improving" Landlords: The absence of private property in land prevented the emergence of “improving" landlords who would invest in the land, thus causing harm to the agriculture sector. 
Need for Private Property for Peasants: He believed that some private property rights should be given to peasants for their personal use, which would make them want to invest in it. 
No Middle Class in India: He also remarked that because of the lack of private property rights there was no middle class in India, which was bad for its social structure. 
Uniform Ruination of Agriculture: He also thought that this had led to a uniform ruination of agriculture as nobody was interested in its long term upkeep. 
Excessive Oppression of Peasantry: The system had resulted in an excessive oppression of the peasantry and their exploitation. 
Decline in Living Standards: The lack of private ownership of the land also led to a decline in living standards for the majority, except the small rich ruling aristocracy. 
Improvished Population: Indian society according to Bernier, was full of impoverished people who were being subjugated by a very small powerful ruling class. 
Other Relevant Point: Any other relevant point from the chapter.